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EPA
Russian police have dispersed protests across the country against an expected increase in the age of retirement.
Nearly 300 protesters were arrested and some were beaten with sticks, says OVD-info rights monitoring group.
The rallies were summoned by imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who took advantage of widespread anger at the reforms.
The concessions of President Putin, whose popularity has suffered as a result, have failed to curb discontent.
The protests coincide with the elections of 26 leaders from 85 regions of Russia, including Moscow, held on Sunday.
According to OVD-Info, 291 people were detained in 19 cities. The city of Ekaterinburg in the Urals has seen the largest number of arrests – 58 in total, the group said.
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Reuters
Starting in 2019, the retirement age for men and women will begin to increase gradually. By 2036, it will have increased from 60 to 65 for men and 55 to 60 for women.
Putin softened the initial plan to raise the retirement age to 63.
Russian men have a life expectancy of 66 years, compared with 77 years for women, according to the World Health Organization.
Navalny, Russia's most prominent opposition leader, planned to hold a protest in Moscow on Sunday, but last month a court sentenced him to 30 days in prison for violates the laws of protest.
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AFP / Getty
Navalny, seen here leading demonstrations in May, thinks his imprisonment will derail the demonstrations
The long-time advocate of the fight against corruption said that the series of short prison sentences he has faced is designed to disrupt his political activity. He vehemently denied all the charges against him.
Forbidden on state television, Navalny was prevented from running against Vladimir Putin as president in March.
"Mr Putin and his government have looted the budget over the past 18 years," Navalny's team said in a statement before Sunday's protests.
"All this time, they assured us that there would be no increase in the age of retirement, and now they are preparing it."
Mr Putin said the decision to increase the retirement age for men and women had been delayed for years and was likely to cause inflation and increasing poverty.
"Any further delay would be irresponsible," he said.
The unions warned, however, that many will not live long enough to claim a pension.
Tens of thousands of people have gathered across Russia in recent weeks. Unusually for the country, the problem has attracted protesters from all sides of the political debate.
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AFP / Getty
Events coincide with regional elections that Kremlin-loyal candidates should dominate
