<p>Thousands of Russians joined hands to form a human chain around Moscow city centre on Sunday in protest against Vladimir Putin’s likely return as president in an election next week.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The protesters stood side by side around the wide 16-km Moscow Garden Ring Road in gently falling snow, many of them wearing the white ribbons that symbolise the biggest opposition protests since Putin rose to power 12 years ago.<br /><br />The mood was festive as protesters, some chanting “Russia without Putin,” waved at cars which hooted back in support. Some held blown-up condoms — mocking Putin for saying he mistook the white ribbons they pin to their coats for contraceptives. “There is no way that Putin can win honestly,” said Yevgeniya Chirikova, a leading opposition campaigner.<br /></p>
<p>Thousands of Russians joined hands to form a human chain around Moscow city centre on Sunday in protest against Vladimir Putin’s likely return as president in an election next week.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The protesters stood side by side around the wide 16-km Moscow Garden Ring Road in gently falling snow, many of them wearing the white ribbons that symbolise the biggest opposition protests since Putin rose to power 12 years ago.<br /><br />The mood was festive as protesters, some chanting “Russia without Putin,” waved at cars which hooted back in support. Some held blown-up condoms — mocking Putin for saying he mistook the white ribbons they pin to their coats for contraceptives. “There is no way that Putin can win honestly,” said Yevgeniya Chirikova, a leading opposition campaigner.<br /></p>