Russian President Vladimir Putin is 60 years old today, but his grip on power is weaker than in the past, according to a recent poll.
In August, the independent Levada polling group said 48% of Russians had a positive view of Putin compared to 60% in May, when he began a new six-year term.
Today in Rostov-on-Don, in southern Russia, the ruling party's loyal Young Guard will unfurl a banner which they say symbolises Putin's role by uniting Asia and Europe, while opponents plan to protest near Moscow's Red Square.
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