Around 1,400 people were detained as anti-protests staged in various cities across the country after President Vladimir Putin launched an invasion in Ukraine.
“More than 1,391 people have already been detained in 51 cities,” said OVD-info on Thursday. Further he added, “700 people were arrested in Moscow and about 340 people in the second largest city Saint Petersburg.”
Immense explosions were heard, Russians were signing open letters and online petitions demanding the halt of conflicts. One petition, initiated by Human rights advocate Lev Ponomavyov, gathered around 1,50,000 signatures within several hours and more than 3,30,000 by the end of the day. 250 journalists also put their names on the open letter vilifying about the situation.
Russia’s Investigative Committee released a notice on Thursday afternoon, warning Russians that unauthorized protests are against the law.
