MOSCOW — Thousands of nationalists marched through Moscow and other cities Sunday chanting slogans such as ‘‘Russia for the Russians’’ to protest President Vladimir Putin’s government, which they accuse of lavishing privileges on migrants and minorities while ignoring ethnic Russians.

The anti-Kremlin tone of the nationalists, who once backed Putin, comes as the movement’s leaders try to broaden their base in the wake of last winter’s historic opposition protests against the Russian leader. Some nationalists are even denouncing violence and racism, moves many mainstream opposition activists view with suspicion.