Fearing beatings and arrests, Russians protest their country’s war.
With the Russian government showing little tolerance for public demonstrations of opposition to its war in Ukraine, the turnout was light at dozens of protests across Russia on Sunday — and many of those who did openly dissent were quickly rounded up by the police.
Protesters chanted “No to war!” and “Ukraine is not our enemy” and some held posters saying “Ukraine, you are right” or just blank sheets of paper. But that was enough for the police, wearing heavy-duty anti-riot gear and with their faces covered by balaclavas, to prevent people from gathering even in groups as small as three.
Overall, more than 860 Russians were detained at the protests on Sunday, bringing the total number of arrests at antiwar demonstrations to more than 14,500, according to OVD Info, a human rights group that tracks arrests in Russia.