You're reading: Thousands gather for anti-Putin protest in Moscow

MOSCOW (AP) — Thousands of Russians are taking to the streets of Moscow to demand an end to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's rule, challenging his bid to reclaim the presidency in March.

The march across downtown Moscow planned for Saturday is the third big anti-Putin demonstration. It’s expected to draw tens of thousands despite temperatures plunging to minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 Fahrenheit).

The two rallies in December became the largest show of public outrage since the protests 20 years ago that brought down the Soviet Union.

The protests have been triggered by evidence of fraud in favor of Putin’s party in December’s parliamentary election. Putin has ignored the demands for a repeat election, but he has sought to assuage the mostly urban middle class protesters’ anger by making vague promises of liberalization.