Moscow: Russian police have detained more than 700 people in anti-war protests across dozens of cities after President Vladimir Putin sent troops to attack Ukraine, an independent monitor said Thursday.
About 2,000 people gathered near Susprine Square in Central Moscow, while up to 1,000 people gathered in the former Imperial Capital Saint Petersburg, according to AFP correspondent at the scene.
The Ukrainian invasion was underway during an unprecedented crackdown on Russian opposition, with most of the protest leaders killed, imprisoned or forced out of the country.
The opposition leader who was imprisoned by Alexei Navalny, who used to mobilize the biggest protest in Russia against Putin, serving a sentence of two and a half years in the punishment colony outside Moscow.
A number of Russian activists called for social media for people to be taken to the streets after Putin launched an attack on Ukraine in early morning.
In Moscow, protesters looked faded around the Pushkin Song “No to War!”
“I was shocked. My relatives and loved ones lived in Ukraine,” Anastasia Nestulya, 23, said in Moscow.
“What can I say to them by telephone? You survive there?”
He said a lot afraid of protest.
In Saint Petersburg, many print similar notes.
“I have the feeling that the authorities have been angry,” said Svetlana Volkova, 27. He also said few people were willing to protest in Russia.
“People are fooled by propaganda.”
When he was dragged by three police officers, a young man shouted: “Who did you fight? Putin’s arrest.”
In recent years Russia has led protest laws, and demonstrations often end in mass catching.
Before Thursday, Navalny said he opposed the invasion of Ukraine.
“I oppose this war,” Navalny was heard said in a video published by the Independent DOZHD television channel.
“The war between Russia and Ukraine was released to cover the theft from Russians and turn their attention from the problems in the country,” said the 45-year-old.
Earlier on Thursday, Russian authorities warned anti-war sympathizers so as not to gather to protest.
The investigation committee, a government agency investigating major crimes, warned Russia due to the law to join uncountable protests related to “strained foreign political situations”.
“One must be aware of the consequences of the negative law of these actions in the form of prosecution to criminal obligations,” the committee said.