Thousands across Russia braved sub-zero temperatures and took to the streets this weekend. Many did so to protest the government’s irresponsible spending policies in light of the global economic crisis. But most came out to protest the protesters for being, like, so negative and critical. What's with that? As usual, the degree to which the protesters were disorderly and the extent to which police reacted with fists and blunt objects have been exaggerated and diminished with aplomb. RUSSIA! now finds itself in the cozy position of judging whose coverage was best.


The New York Times kicks off its coverage with a quick glance at one of the more photogenic opposition clusters; that is, the 1,000 members of the Russian Communist Party who rallied in Moscow, demanding a return to the centralized economic policies of the Soviet Union. And, yes, a billowing Hammer and Sickle flag next to a weathered face under a requisite fur hat, a photo op makes. Way to go, guys. The Times also reports on the 200 or so demonstrators who dodged Russian police in the great ant farm that is Moscow’s subway system. The wily protesters reappeared above ground again, waving flags and yelling “Russia without Putin!” and “Down with the police state!” Forty-one people were detained for unsanctioned protests, including writer Eduard Limonov — registered shit-starter and leader of the banned National Bolshevik Party. The Pro-Kremlin party, United Russia, also gets a shout-out in The Times, with a nod to the thousands who turned up in central Moscow to defend the government. The source cited for that info? United Russia’s website! (The site also claims tens of thousands of people were yelling “People! Medvedev! Putin! Together We’ll Triumph!” But, we’ll let it go.) Finally, Russia’s port city of Vladivostok gets a handsome chunk of the spotlight for the unrest that’s been growing there since government upped tariffs on the import of foreign vehicles.

The Moscow Times sheds limelight on the 2,500 Vladivostok Communists who win the prize for the largest march against government this weekend. A bit of anti-news on that front: unlike in December of last year, the police didn’t violently break up this Vladivostok demonstration. Apparently one lesson was enough. This time, the authorities made their presence felt with helicopters. The MT gives further insight into some specific pathologies of the mass demonstrations: protester v. protester bloody beatings, state television turning a blind eye to anti-Kremlin demonstrators (and putting a magnifying glass to the pro-government types).

And, did you know that St. Petersburg refused to sanction a single opposition rally? There, chess legend Garry Kasparov’s anti-government brainchild, the United Civil Front, staged a network of "one-person pickets." In each group, just one person can hold an anti-government poster at a time, before passing it to somebody else. To us, this game of musical chairs would imply that the UCF and other opposition groups have finally become the farce the Kremlin always wanted them to be. But authorities are taking this thing very seriously. At a meeting with Federal Security Service officers last week, Medvedev let it be known that there were funds reserved for keeping the country under control. We know what that means: Blog ops!

Speaking of which, let’s get even more interactive. Lenta.ru has a nice photo spread, including shots of parties in porto-potties, some nice juxtaposition, and a photo of the pro-Kremlin United Russia brigade being bussed in en masse.

As for the Russian media's take, this morning, Kommersant.ru led with a report on Michael Phelps' marijuana use. But the winner for best coverage of the protests goes to... Russia Today! The Kremlin sewage pipe creatively chose to view their glass half full, with a report that can be summed up as follows: “Many thousands rally in support of the government! Five thousand if not more! And yet, sadly, there were a few naysayers on this spontaneous, national day of joy: Some 41 people were arrested for unauthorized protests.” Whew. Good thing we got 'em all.