Any Russian/Soviet Launch Vehicles Held Down at Ignition?

[Proponent]

I may be out of date, but in the past it was the case that Soyuz launch vehicles were not held down after to verify proper operation of engines; they simply took off when thrust exceeded weight.  Is this still the case?  Are any Russian/Soviet launch vehicles held down after ignition?

[Stan Black]

I may be out of date, but in the past it was the case that Soyuz launch vehicles were not held down after to verify proper operation of engines; they simply took off when thrust exceeded weight.  Is this still the case?  Are any Russian/Soviet launch vehicles held down after ignition?

 Proton rockets ignite their engines at a reduced thrust at -1·750 seconds before lift off; then throttle up at -0·150 seconds [source].

 Energia and the future Rus feature a блок Я which is integrated as part of the rocket but left behind at the launch site [source].

 The Soyuz method is also (dare I say) primitive in that the way to align to the launch azimuth the launch platform is rotated.

 You might also want to read:-
http://www.novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8105

[Stan Black]

Further reading about Energia
http://www.russianspaceweb.com/baikonur_energia_250.html

[patchfree]

 The Soyuz method is also (dare I say) primitive in that the way to align to the launch azimuth the launch platform is rotated.

This is not the case with Soyouz-2a an 2b. For example the launch platform at Kourou will be not rotating.