Russians protest against Putin's involvement in Ukraine
Thousands of demonstrators hold anti-war rallies in Moscow and other cities across Russia

Thousands of protesters held an anti-war rally in Moscow yesterday, waving Ukrainian flags in protest at Russia's "aggressive foreign policy". Waving Ukrainian and flags, people chanted "Stop lying" and "No to war".
The numbers are disputed, with organisers saying there were 50,000 attendees, the AP news agency estimating 20,000 and Russian police claiming there were only 5,000. There were smaller rallies in St Petersburg and other cities, concurrently, says the BBC.
Demonstrators walked from Pushkin Square to Sakharov Avenue in a "sea of Russsian and Ukrainian flags" says the English-language Moscow Times. Banners read 'Hands off Ukraine' and 'Freedom to the 6 May prisoners' – the latter a reference to protesters jailed for "inciting riots" after an anti-Putin rally in 2012.
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.
The Guardian says the demonstrators represented a variety of political parties and views but were united against what they say is a Kremlin policy to fuel the conflict in Ukraine, with arms and fighters sent across the border.
Police increased security in the capital but according to the BBC "there were only minor scuffles reported between rival demonstrators".
Speaking to Al Jazeera about the demonstration, prominent Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov said, "Putin means war, he is the leader of the party of war… If there are a lot of us today, he will back down, because he is afraid of his own citizens, and only the Russian people can stop Putin."
Anti-war protests also took place in Paris and New York, while supporters of the pro-Russian rebels held their own counter-demonstration in Moscow, albeit with just dozens of participants.
The rally is the first major anti-war demonstration in Russia since fighting began in Ukraine. More than 3,000 people have died in fighting in the east of Ukraine since Russia annexed Crimea in March this year.
Ukraine says Russia is arming rebels there – and some have claimed Russian troops are masquerading as rebels. A truce was agreed at a summit in Minsk, Belarus on 5 September, but it has been repeatedly violated.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The genetic secrets of South Korea's female free-divers
Under The Radar Unique physiology of 'real-life mermaid' haenyeo women could help treat chronic diseases
-
Democrats: How to rebuild a damaged brand
Feature Trump's approval rating is sinking, but so is the Democratic brand
-
Unraveling autism
Feature RFK Jr. has vowed to find the root cause of the 'autism epidemic' in months. Scientists have doubts.
-
Putin talks nukes as Kyiv slated for US air defenses
speed read 'I hope they will not be required,' Putin said of nuclear weapons on Russian state TV
-
Ukraine-US minerals deal: is Trump turning away from Putin?
Today's Big Question US shows 'exasperation' with Russia and signs agreement with Ukraine in what could be a significant shift in the search for peace
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
-
Romania's election chaos risks international fallout
IN THE SPOTLIGHT By barring far-right candidate Calin Georgescu from the country's upcoming electoral re-do, Romania places itself in the center of a broader struggle over European ultra-nationalism