MOSCOW — It is often difficult to untangle the welter of competing agendas among Russian nationalists, a cacophony of ideas that was on display on Tuesday in the central event of their year: the Russian March, held on Unity Day, which marks the battle in 1612 when Russians united to expel the Polish Army from Moscow.

Fervent supporters of the Kremlin’s policy toward Ukraine marched in the lead of the column, while the rear was composed of activists horrified by what they described as a Russian assault against fellow Slavs in that country. Between them came monarchists, groups bellowing anti-immigrant chants, socialists, Russian Orthodox believers and even some hooded pagans.

Perhaps most noteworthy, however, was the number of those who chose not to be there at all. At most a few thousand attended the rally. Organizers had anticipated that it would draw 10,000.

There were several reasons for the relatively low turnout. The government marginalized the event by relegating it to a remote southeastern suburb. The Kremlin also honored the holiday by organizing its own rally, We Are One, in front of the Bolshoi Theater in central Moscow. It was led by the usual list of government stalwarts: fading crooners, Olympic athletes and a cosmonaut, among others.