TODAY: Yabloko backs Chirikova for Khimki Mayor; Russia’s rights ombudsman will challenge Pussy Riot sentence; protesters face jail for May 6 action; Chubais focusing on importing R&D; Ukraine asserts energy independence from Russia with Skifska; Novatek edging out Gazprom; LGBT victory for Vkontakte users.

The Yabloko party said it would back renowned environmental activist Yevgenia Chirikova’s candidacy for Khimki mayor, withdrawing its own candidate in her favour.  PARNAS said it would also support Chirikova’s candidacy if Yabloko withdrew its candidate, following a common party line that opposition candidates should not run against each other (‘the more opposition candidates there are in the race, the better it is for the ruling regime’).  Chirikova’s bid will focus on moving away from dependency on natural resources and create ‘interesting work for [Khimki’s] educated population’.  Vladimir Lukin, Russia’s human rights ombudsman, says the sentence given to the three members of Pussy Riot is ‘excessive’, and he may challenge it if it is upheld at the appeal.  Michael Bohm explains why the charge of ‘hooliganism motivated by religious hatred’ is out of proportion.  The Guardian talks to Maria Baronova, one of the dozen protesters who face police intimidation and possibly prison for partaking in the May 6 Moscow action. ‘There is no doubt that there has been a turn in the policy toward those defiant Russians who dare challenge the government.’  The governor of Kamchatka dismissed his entire Сabinet this week over large-scale corruption allegations.