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You're listening to assignment on the BBC with me Sarah Rainsford.

Campanney of the United States.

It's nearly 7 o'clock in the evening.

It's nearly 7 o'clock in the evening close to the time when we've been told that

protesters are due to gather here on Bolotna Square. Walking along the

embankment now past the fountains and the announcement here for

boat rides along the Moscow River.

What I can see is a huge number of riot police.

There are buses here lined up. They're obviously ready for something here.

But as I pass the police, I only find a handful of protesters on the square,

and a man singing about the collapse of communism. They're here to mark four years since a very different vast protest at rigged elections

ended in violent clashes and mass arrests right on this square. It was the biggest challenge that Russia's leader has ever faced.

Since then, Vladimir Putin has approved changes to the law that make it extremely difficult to stage a protest.

The man behind this one didn't even try to get a permit because he's always been refused.

There's a lot of police here, Riot Police. Is it normal that there's so many police?

For 6th of May, each year, yes.

If I would be an authority, I wouldn't be afraid at all.

I would be afraid at all.

In the Polish,

my grasse,

...