There was plenty of patriotism on show for May Day in Moscow.<br /><br />The International Labour Day celebrations returned to Red Square for the first time since the break up of the Communist Soviet Union in 1991. <br /><br />Coming just weeks after Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, the event was an opportunity for supporters of President Vladimir Putin to demonstrate their approval . <br /><br />Signs and banners proclaimed “Patriots support their president!”, “Trust Putin” and “Putin is right!”. The march took place with Putin’s approval ratings at their highest level since 2010. <br /><br />Andrei Isaev, a lawmaker from the president’s party addressed the crowd, hammering home the point: “This year Russia was joined by two new members of the Federation – Crimea and Sevastopol. We welcome them!” <br /><br />Moscow police said more than 100,000 people took part in the Red Square marches. Nationwide an estimated two million people were on the streets in Labour Day rallies.<br /><br />Away from the cameras of state TV opposition and human rights groups also held demonstrations in Russian cities.
