In Paris, thousands of pro and anti-Putin voters in front of the Russian embassy. Opponents of Vladimir Putin were called to demonstrate in memory of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny by going to polling stations at midday on Sunday.
Several Russians interviewed by AFP in the French capital also said they would vote for Vladimir Putin, 71, whose victory is in little doubt against three hand-picked candidates of no importance. "How can you be against Putin? He saves the world," said a Russian living in Paris who refused to give his identity.