The riot, ahead of Sunday’s referendum on whether Crimea should leave Ukraine and join Russia, was not broadcast by Russia’s state-owned television news channels.
1. Tens of thousands gathered in Moscow on Saturday to protest a referendum backed by the Kremlin in which Crimea would leave Ukraine and join Russia.
Maxim Shemetov / Reuters
2. It’s the largest anti-government rally in Russia since 2012, and was attended by two members of Pussy Riot, according to the Associated Press.
Maxim Shemetov / Reuters
3. Attendees waved both Russian and Ukrainian flags, and chanted, “Say no to war” and “Putin, go away.”
Maxim Shemetov / Reuters
4. Nearby, several thousand rallied in support of Russia in the “Brotherhood and Civil Resistance March” and wore red.
Tatyana Makeyeva / Reuters 
Tatyana Makeyeva / Reuters
6. Russia’s state-owned television news channels only showed footage from the smaller, pro-Russian rally, and not the anti-war, anti-government one.
Maxim Shemetov / Reuters
7. “Don’t believe it when they say that we are few, that we are weak,” said Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, a member of Pussy Riot, during the rally. “Together we will change this country.”
Maxim Shemetov / Reuters 
Stringer / Reuters
A woman wearing a shirt with the words “Stop Putin.”
Maxim Shemetov / Reuters
A couple take a photo at the protest.
10. The referendum, which will be held Sunday, has been criticized internationally as illigitimate.
Maxim Shemetov / Reuters
11. Troops believed to be Russian entered Crimea two weeks ago, and Russia’s state-owned television news stations have alleged there has been aggression toward ethnic Russians living in the peninsula.
Maxim Shemetov / Reuters
LINK
With Outcome Already Assured, Western Observers Line Up To Cheers Crimean Referendum
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Read more: http://buzzfeed.com/hunterschwarz/tens-of-thousands-protest-putin-at-anti-war-rally-in-moscow
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