Russia's opposition expressed concerns that Vladimir Putin was planning to use force to suppress their protests following the arrest of hundreds of demonstrators challenging his election victory. Despite three months of peaceful protests, over 500 people, including opposition leaders, were detained by riot police during unsanctioned protests in Moscow and St Petersburg. This crackdown indicates Putin's impatience with those calling for more democracy and political reforms, and a reliance on police force to maintain power. Opposition leaders like Boris Nemtsov and Boris Akunin fear that future protests will also be met with violence. "It is evident that the time for peaceful protests and demonstrations is finished. There is no reason to plan a march on March 10 as it will provoke a forceful response from the authorities," he stated. The police justified their actions as being in compliance with the law, and Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, supported their intervention by stating that the opposition's activities included both legal and illegal components, and that the police responded appropriately and lawfully in both cases. After serving as prime minister for four years, Putin won almost 64 percent of the votes in Sunday's election and returned to the presidency. He had previously been president from 2000 to 2008. Despite some officers forcibly removing protesters, it appeared that Putin was determined not to be seen as a dictator by allowing minimal violence. Reports indicated that police were cautious in handling the main protest on Moscow's Pushkin Square to avoid casualties, though they used harsher tactics against a group at Lubyanka Square. Protesters in St. Petersburg, Putin's hometown, were also forcibly removed. Foreign investors are concerned that clashes between police and protesters could harm the investment climate and hinder potential reforms to reduce Russia's dependence on energy exports. Russian stocks experienced their largest daily decline in three months on Tuesday after Fitch warned of potential confrontations. Both the main dollar-based and rouble-traded stock indexes dropped by over 3 percent. Allegations of fraud have surfaced, suggesting that Putin allows limited protests as a controlled release for dissatisfaction among urban demonstrators after his 12-year rule. He could make some conciliatory gestures to pacify the opposition, such as ordering a review of 32 criminal cases, including the imprisonment of former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky and the denial of registration to a liberal opposition group. However, Putin, a former KGB spy, will do everything in his power to stop what he sees as more extreme protesters from challenging his third term as president. Any dissent will be met with strong force. "We observed fear in the dictator's eyes." Ilya Yashin, an opposition leader, expressed at the rally at Pushkin Square that they observed vulnerability and a lack of confidence in Putin after he shed a tear during his victory speech on Sunday. Yashin questioned the presence of troops and riot police in the capital, wondering if war had started. The US ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, expressed concern over the arrests and emphasized the importance of freedom of assembly and speech as universal values. This statement was met with criticism from Russia's Foreign Ministry, which claimed that Russian police had shown more restraint than US officers handling similar protests in the United States. The United States and several European countries have called for an independent and credible investigation into the allegations of voting irregularities in the election. International monitors noted some improvements from a previous poll but still found the vote to be unfair and heavily skewed in favor of Putin. Russia's Foreign Ministry responded to the observers' report, acknowledging some criticisms but not specifying them. Many Russians have become disillusioned with the electoral process and Putin's ability to bring about change. Vasilisa Maslova, 35, who works in the fashion trade, mentioned at Pushkin Square that she used to admire Putin for his charisma, like many other women do with charismatic men. However, she now believes he is becoming senile and that no one can remain in power indefinitely.