Russians protest pension reform as Putin popularity slides Russians gather in Yaroslavl to protest against a hugely unpopular government decision to hike the pension age that has led to a record slump in President Vladimir Putin's approval ratings. Rallying in dozens of cities from the far east and Siberia to central and southern Russia, many urge Putin to oust the government, while some call on the Kremlin leader himself to "retire." IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES