Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been arrested in Moscow as protest demonstrations called by him took place across the country.

Police wrestled the opposition leader into a patrol wagon on Sunday, moments after he appeared at a rally to urge voters to boycott what he said would be a rigged presidential election in March.

He had only walked a short distance when he was surrounded by helmet-clad police officers. They wrestled him to the ground on the pavement and then dragged him feet first into the patrol wagon, the video footage showed.

He has called on supporters to continue the demonstrations despite his arrest Sunday.

He said on Twitter: "They have detained me. This doesn't mean anything ... you didn't come out for me, but for your future."

Protests ranging from a few dozen to several hundred people were reported throughout the country.

Navalny has been barred from running in the 18 March election which polls show incumbent President Vladimir Putin is on track to easily win. Though Navalny says he knows Putin will be re-elected, his boycott campaign is aimed at lowering voter turnout to try to take the shine off a Putin win.