Three members of the provocative punk band Pussy Riot have been found guilty of hooliganism, in one of the most closely watched cases in recent Russian history.

Tens of thousands of Russians flooded Moscow's tree-lined boulevards today in the first massive protest against president Vladimir Putin's rule since his inauguration in May - a rally that came even as police interrogated key opposition leaders.

Russian police searched the homes of prominent opponents of President Vladimir Putin in a clear warning he is losing patience with dissenters before a major rally today that could draw tens of thousands of people challenging his rule.

Russian investigators searched the apartments of several opposition leaders today and called them in for questioning, raising tensions on the eve of a large protest against President Vladimir Putin.

Hundreds of helmeted Russian riot police have dispersed a crowd of up to 300 anti-Putin protesters who took over a Moscow square for most of the day.

Police in Moscow have arrested top opposition figures along with demonstrators after a protest march on the eve of Vladimir Putin’s inauguration as president tried to reach the Kremlin.

THE Russian protest movement yesterday vowed there would be new demonstrations this week after a leading anti-Kremlin activist was given a fresh jail sentence following the latest mass rally against Vladimir Putin.