MEZIESBLOG

The announcement yesterday that Russia’s presidential election would take place on 17 March next year has prompted a flurry of activity among opposition figures.

Perhaps the most prominent is jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, whose group, The Anti-Corruption Foundation, have placed billboards in Russian cities with QR codes leading to the website of their campaign.

But alongside that scheme, the group has launched a separate plan calling on Russian citizens to use graffiti as a means of stirring opposition.

They suggest spraying the word “Russia” in a specific font – and in the process indicating it is an anti-Putin message.

In an online post, that features images of the graffiti in different Russian cities, Mr Navalny’s group said: “Draw graffiti! Let #RussiaWithoutPutin be everywhere. Join the campaign.”