The most vocal Kremlin critic in Russia’s presidential contest was barred from the ballot today by election authorities who said tens of thousands of signatures on his nominating petitions were faked.

More than 2,000 people held a rare anti-government rally in Moscow on today, accusing the Kremlin of growing authoritarianism and protesting against electoral law changes.

President Vladimir Putin today nominated Mikhail Fradkov, a former tax police chief who is Russia’s representative to the European Union, to the post of prime minister.

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin sacked Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov and his Cabinet yesterday, saying he made the move in order to reshuffle the government ahead of next month’s presidential election.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sacked Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov and his Cabinet today, saying he made the move in order to reshuffle the government ahead of next month’s presidential election.

Vladimir Putin has reportedly announced the resignationa of the Russian government live on television.

RUSSIA’S prime minister said yesterday he was deeply concerned by the seizure of shares of oil giant YUKOS — the closest any top official has come to publicly criticising the Kremlin’s handling of the crisis.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with President George Bush in the near future, making up a summit that was cancelled due to the Chechen hostage crisis in Moscow, Russian Prime Minister Mihkail Kasyanov said.

The Russian Prime Minister has hit out at the drunken soccer fans who rioted in Moscow after their national side was beaten by Japan at the World Cup.

Russian MPs are preparing a proposal that could force President Vladimir Putin to choose between firing his Cabinet or dissolving parliament.