Protests in Russia began on 23 January 2021 in support of the opposition leader Alexei Navalny after his arrest and the release of the film Putin's Palace, which revolves around the connection between President Vladimir Putin and a palace allegedly being built for him. On the first day, protests were held in 198 towns and cities across Russia in what were one of the largest anti-government demonstrations since the 2011–2013 Russian protests.