Isolated protests erupted across Russia on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Arrests would have occurred.
Several people were arrested during protests in Russia on the first anniversary of the war against Ukraine ordered by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin.
“Ukraine, forgive us”
According to civil rights organization OVD-Info, ten people were arrested in the Baltic Sea metropolis of St Petersburg – most trying to lay flowers for victims in the neighboring country. Artist and anti-war activist Yelena Osipova (77) was also among those arrested in Petersburg.
Arrests were also made in the capital Moscow and in Yekaterinburg in the Urals. In Moscow, strangers also left a handwritten note at the foot of a monument that morning, which read: “Ukraine, forgive us.” The note was removed shortly afterwards and a police car appeared at the scene.
15-year prison camp for “discrediting the armed forces”
Public anti-war actions have become very rare in Russia due to massive repression. Criticizing the war is punishable by up to 15 years in prison for allegedly discrediting the armed forces.