In Russia they arrested more than 800 protesters against the conflict in Ukraine

More than 800 people who protested this Sunday against the Russian military operation in Ukraine were arrested in different cities of Russia, according to the NGO OVD-Info, specialized in monitoring protests.

journalists from the AFP they saw several demonstrators being detained by the military in Moscow and St. Petersburgsecond city of the country.

In Moscow, several dozen people defied a ban on demonstrating by gathering in a square near the Kremlin. At least 100 protesters and a journalist were taken away by the police, according to a reporter from the AFP present on the spot.

“Peace in the world!”, a woman chanted as she was forcibly taken away by two officers.

Several policemen drew the letter “Z” on their helmets, a symbol expressing support for Russian soldiers deployed in Ukraine.

On Sunday afternoon, the Ministry of the Interior reported that about 300 people had been arrested in the capital for “various violations of public order” and specified that the possibility of initiating judicial proceedings against them was being studied.

In Saint Petersburg, where there were many police buses in the center, the demonstrators tried to go unnoticed. According to OVD-Info, at least 156 were arrested on the day.

“Of course it is scary to go out (to protest). They take everyone, several of my friends have been arrested, others have been kicked out of the university, ”she told the AFP Kristina, 20, in a blue jacket and yellow hat, the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

“You are all traitors, you should be arrested,” a passerby in her 60s yelled at them.

Several protesters and some journalists were taken away by police.

Despite the ban, groups of protesters gather daily in Russia against the military operation in Ukraine.

Those who protest are fined or arrested. Last Sunday, more than 5,000 protesters were arrested. (I)