Six hundred of them will travel by train, while around 200 others will fly in for the event, Sgibnyeva said, Interfax reported. The Union Federation will split the cost of the workers' trip with their employers, she said.
Moscow City Hall approved plans for a march and rally in support of Putin's presidential bid at Luzhniki stadium on Thursday, the national holiday Defender of the Fatherland Day. Organizers expect up to 40,000 participants in the event.
On Feb. 4, a pro-Putin group held an "anti-orange" rally at Poklonnaya Gora in Moscow at which speakers shouted anti-Western slogans and demonstrators held signs with messages praising Putin's leadership. The event drew tens of thousands of people but was marred by reports of many participants having been forced or paid to attend.
Putin's main base of support lies outside the nation's capital, especially among blue-collar workers, many of whom view the long-time leader as a guarantor of stability.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.