When did the protest start in Russia?

Tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied in the Russian capital on Saturday in the largest protest so far over election fraud, signaling a growing outrage over Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s 12-year rule. Saturday’s demonstrations are the large show of discontent the nation has seen since the Soviet collapsed. The protest started after Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party was named the winner of the December 4 election. The prime minister’s party barely held on the lower house of parliament, but opposition parties and observers contend the vote counts were inflated. Ruling parties have denied cheating.
                                                                VOA 2011-12-25