俄罗斯领导人普京星期一宣誓就职，成为俄罗斯历史性地第三次任职总统。
有大约2000名政要参加了在克里姆林宫举行的精心设计的就职仪式。普京将手放在宪法上面宣誓说，“尊重并捍卫人民的权力和自由”。
警察在就职仪式之前加强了首都莫斯科的安全保卫工作。
普京于2008年从总统位置上卸任后一直担任俄罗斯总理，他在3月4号举行的俄罗斯大选中以绝对多数赢得了胜利。反对派对选举结果提出异议，说这是一次被偷窃的选举。
世界领导人有所保留地承认普京的当选，国际观察人士说这次选举在有利于普京的方向上倾斜。
俄罗斯防暴警察星期天和示威人士发生冲突，有大约两万人参加了抗议普京的示威活动。
双方在横跨莫斯科河、通往克里姆林宫的大桥附近发生了摩擦以后，佩戴头盔的警察用警棍击打并拖走几十名抗议者。
Russia's Vladimir Putin took the oath of office Monday to become president for a historic third term.
At an elaborate Kremlin ceremony attended by some 2,000 dignitaries, Mr. Putin placed his hand on a copy of the constitution and swore to "respect and protect the rights and freedoms of the people."
Police tightened security in the capital, Moscow, ahead of the inauguration.
Mr. Putin had been Russia's prime minister since relinquishing the presidency in 2008. He won the country's March 4 presidential election by a landslide. The opposition disputes the victory, calling it a stolen election.
World leaders acknowledged Mr. Putin's victory with reservations, and international observers say the election was skewed in his favor.
Russian riot police clashed with demonstrators Sunday as an estimated 20,000 people protested against Mr. Putin.
Helmeted officers beat protesters with batons and hauled away dozens after skirmishes broke out between the two sides near a bridge leading across the Moscow river to the Kremlin.