At least 4,640 anti-war protesters were arrested on Sunday in 56 cities across Russia, the independent human rights organization OVD-Info says.
In Russia, spontaneous mass demonstrations are illegal. There have been daily anti-war protests since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, and it's estimated that at least 13,000 protesters have been detained in 147 cities.
Videos of the arrests are circulating on social media, including some showing protesters getting hit by police officers with batons. The Washington Post reports that in one video, a woman is heard telling an officer, "We have relatives, we have friends in Ukraine." Russian President Vladimir Putin has justified his invasion of Ukraine by claiming it is to "denazify" the country, and the officer replied to the woman, "You come to support fascists?" Members of the crowd responded, "What fascists?" The officer then ordered his colleagues to "arrest everyone."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
OVD-Info says 113 minors and 13 journalists are among the people arrested on Sunday. Earlier in the day, Russia's interior minister said more than 3,500 people were arrested "for taking part in unauthorized rallies," adding that law enforcement will continue to target these anti-war protests.
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
-
What to know when filing a hurricane insurance claimThe Explainer A step-by-step to figure out what insurance will cover and what else you can do beyond filing a claim
-
How fees impact your investment portfolio — and how to save on them
The Explainer Even seemingly small fees can take a big bite out of returns
-
Enemy without
Cartoons
-
Is Ukraine losing the support of Eastern Europe?
Today's big question Grain dispute between Warsaw and Kyiv could lead to other dominos falling
-
Russian pilot 'tried to shoot down RAF plane'
Speed Read 'Ambiguous' communications triggered the potentially deadly incident in 2022, defence sources say
-
Inside the luxury bulletproof train taking Kim Jong Un to Russia
The Explainer The North Korean leader has continued the tradition of train travel established by his father
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs say
Speed Read
-
A brief timeline of Russia's war in Ukraine
In Depth How the Kremlin's plan for a quick conquest turned into a quagmire
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?
Speed Read
-
How the collapse of the ruble could impact the war in Ukraine
Talking Point Will it hurt Putin's war or is it merely symbolic?
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign port
Speed Read
