More than 2 million questions have already been submitted.
For the first time, Russian citizens can ask the president questions through the VK social network. After filling out a questionnaire, an image of winking Vladimir Putin appears to let you know that the question has been successfully submitted.
Top three questions from last year, according to the Russia-24 state TV channel:
16 percent -- questions about housing and communal services
10 percent -- questions about human and citizen rights
9 percent -- questions about the state, society, and politics
Overall, 8.5 million people watched the “Direct Line” with Vladimir Putin last year.
Inside Moscow Gostiny Dvor, where the call-in is taking place.
Before this year’s “Direct Line” even starts, a construction worker from Vostok Cosmodrome, Anton Tyurishev, planned to organize a protest to draw attention to his comments last year in the same setting where he highlighted his unpaid wages. According to Tyurishev, he is still owed money. He has now been arrested.