ERR in Moscow: Russian capital in 'shock'
Estonian Public Broadcasting's correspondent in Moscow says the mood in the Russian capital is dark after the highest-profile assassination of the Putin era last night.
Neeme Raud visited the scene of the killing of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in the shadow of St. Basil's several hours after the slaying, when he said there was chaos, and returned in the morning where he said he expected it to be strewn with flowers.
"After all, Moscow is in complete shock. It's spitting rain, warm - unusual weather for February. It was hoped it would be similar weather tomorrow for the big opposition rally that Nemtsov was to lead. Shock is the keyword at the moment, no one can say much about who was behind it and other circumstances."
Boris Nemtsov, the former deputy prime minister and critic of President Vladimir Putin, was shot on a stone bridge not far from the Kremlin just before midnight last night.
"It's sad to see the imposing Kremlin by the stone bridge and the police cars gathered there and to know that one of Russia's most influential and well-known people has been simply killed," Raud said.
The March 1 rally will go ahead with one of the key opposition leaders dead and another, Alexei Navalny, jailed.
"I think there could be very many people in the streets. Many are thinking about the anti-Maidan demonstration that brought at least 35,000 into the streets of the city center a week ago. Many remember the rage and the anger that was the prevalent mood there. At the Estonian embassy's Independence Day reception, much was said about how unpleasant a rally that was. It's hoped that tomorrow will be an event with a more hopeful tone. I think more people than hoped will turn out, among other things to express support for Nemtsov posthumously," he said.