On the eve of Vladimir Putin's return to Russia's highest office --- at least 20,000 people gathered in Moscow in protest.<br/> <br />Yelling "we are not leaving," protesters attempted to march toward the Kremlin but were met by lines of riot police.<br/> <br />Officers used batons to try and beat back advancing demonstrators and detained dozens.<br/> <br />The violence came at the end of a day of protests in several cities. Putin will be sworn in for a third term as president on Monday.<br/> <br />Deborah Gembara, Reuters.
