Over 1,300 Arrests In Russia Anti-Mobilisation Protests: Report

More than 1,300 people have been arrested at demonstrations across Russia against President Vladimir Putin's announcement of a partial mobilisation of civilians to fight in Ukraine, a police...

More than 1,300 people have been arrested in demonstrations across Russia against President Vladimir Putin's announcement of a partial mobilization of civilians to fight in Ukraine, a police watchdog group said on Wednesday.

The OVD-Info monitoring group has counted at least 1,

332 people were arrested at rallies in 38 different cities across the country after Putin's morning address to the nation.

The protests were the largest in Russia since the demonstrations that erupted following the announcement of Moscow's military intervention in Ukraine in February.

AFP journalists in central Moscow said police had detained at least 50 people in riot gear on a main shopping street.

In the former Russian imperial capital, Saint Petersburg, AFP reporters saw police cornering a small group of protesters, detaining them one by one and carrying them onto a bus.

The demonstrators chanted "No to mobilization!"

Demonstrator Vasily Fedorov said, a student wearing a pacifist symbol on his phone was issued.

“I went out to the rally planning to participate,

But it seems they have already arrested everyone. "This regime condemns itself and destroys its youth," said Alexei, 60, a resident of the area, who declined to give his last name.

"Why do you serve Putin, the man who has been in power for 20 years!" A protester shouted at a policeman.

"I came to say that I am against war and mobilization," student Oksana Sidorenko told AFP.

"Why are they deciding my future for me? I am afraid for myself and my brother," she added.

Alina Skvortsova, 20, said she hoped the Russians would soon understand the nature of the Kremlin's offensive in neighboring Ukraine.

"Once they really understood, they would take to the street, despite the fear," she said.

The Interfax news agency quoted the Russian Interior Ministry as saying it had thwarted attempts to "organize unauthorized gatherings".

She added that all demonstrations were stopped, and the police arrested those who committed "violations" and kept them away pending investigation and prosecution.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Wednesday that Russia will initially mobilize about 300,000 reservists,

After Putin warned in a televised speech that Moscow would use all available military means in Ukraine.

BY
ProBuzzFeed