More than 170 arrested at protests in Russia, brought against war in Ukraine

Russian police have arrested 176 people, who protested in Moscow against the invasion of Ukraine, OVD has announced.

The OVD-Info organisation, which monitors arrests in protests, reported that protesters were arrested in 14 different Russian cities.

AFP reported that more than 20 people were arrested by police in a park near the Kremlin.

Police accompanied some people sitting in the park to the police station, AFP reports.

National protest against what Moscow calls “military operation” in Ukraine was reported to social media by activists in about 30 Russian cities.

Organisers said in a statement they wanted to protest against Russia's “Colapsis economy”, against Russian President Vladimir Putin and seek the release of the Kremlin's imprisoned critic, Alexei Navlany.

“Russia deserves peace, democracy and prosperity”, organisers said.

There were also arrests in St. Petersburg.

“No one will come, all active are arrested in previous protests”, said 30-year-old Sergei Gorelov, who said he was in protest.

I just came to express my protest somehow about everything that's happening. It is frightening to protest”, Galina Sedova, 50, told AFP.

Arrested protesters risk fines and possible prison sentences.

Police in Moscow arrested a protestor against the invasion of Ukraine.

OVD-Info says over 15,000 people have been arrested in rallying across the country to protest the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on 24 February. / REL