Russian police raided an exhibition and confiscated a painting that portrayed president Vladimir Putin and prime minister Dmitry Medvedev lounging together in women’s lingerie.

About 500 people demonstrated in a central Moscow square today to demand the removal of prime minister Vladimir Putin and his “rule of thieves”.

More than 70 people were sickened after gas was released today in a St Petersburg chain store and boxes with glass containers attached to wires were found in three other outlets of the same store.