Thousands of Russians march on Red Square in show of patriotic fervour

In an event that harks back to the Soviet era, thousands of workers rally in Moscow's Red Square in support of the nation under the leadership of Vladimir Putin

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Muscovites march on May Day. The placards read: 'We Believe in Putin' (foreground) and 'We will spend our vacation in Crimea', (background). Photo: AP

Published: 4:45pm, 1 May 2014Updated: 5:06pm, 1 May 2014

Some 100,000 workers on Thursday paraded on Red Square for the first time since the 1991 Soviet breakup as the takeover of Crimea triggered a surge of patriotism and boosted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s standing.

A huge column of demonstrators waving Russian flags and balloons marched through Moscow’s iconic square near the Kremlin walls as trade union leaders addressed them from the podium on International Labour Day.

Russian Trade Unions' members parade on the Red Square in Moscow. Photo: AFP

“Putin is right”, “Proud of the country” and “Let’s support decisions of our president” read the banners carried by the smiling demonstrators, a colourful spectacle harking back to Soviet times.

Moscow police said more than 100,000 people took part in the “march of trade unions” on Red Square.

Since returning to the Kremlin for a third term in 2012 after huge protests against his decade-long rule, Putin has sought to boost support among his core constituents of middle-aged Russians and blue-collar workers.

A girl holds a Soviet style poster that reads, 'Peace is happiness' during the rally. Photo: Reuters

After Moscow’s takeover of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula in March, patriotism in Russia has surged to new heights and lifted the 61-year-old president’s approval ratings.