Putin's speech comes as the Russian military is boosting the defense of the occupied Crimean peninsula

After Russia opened fire on and seized three Ukrainian naval vessels on Sunday near Russian-annexed Crimea, both Russia and Ukraine are trying to cast the other side as being in the wrong.

The Kremlin has warned that the martial law that will go into effect in parts of Ukraine on Wednesday might trigger renewed hostilities in the separatist-held east.

She knows she can't win, but Ksenia Sobchak has been outspoken in her criticism of Vladimir Putin during her campaign for the Russian presidency.

Navalny's wife, Yulia, said on his Twitter feed that he was arrested about a half-hour before the demonstration was to begin. There was no immediate statement from police.

Canada's foreign affairs minister said on Monday that her country should be prepared for Russia to try to destabilize its political system, saying it would be similar to its efforts in the United States.

Symbols of the Russian Federation's tumultuous political past were front and centre, but what did it all mean?