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.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
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
-
Baltimore bridge disaster: Who is going to pay and how?
Today's Big Question Politicians, legal experts, and the insurance industry are all grappling with the financial fallout of America's worst infrastructure tragedy in years
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Melting polar ice is messing with global timekeeping
Speed Read Ice loss caused by climate change is slowing the Earth's rotation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Stick guitar
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
Why is Islamic State targeting Russia?
Today's Big Question Islamist terror group's attack on 'soft target' in Moscow was driven in part by 'opportunity and personnel'
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's unconventional approach to reconstruction
Under the radar Digitally savvy nation uses popular app to file compensation claims, access funds and rebuild destroyed homes
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What does victory now look like for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Not losing is as important as winning as the tide turns in Russia's favour again
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Where has the Wagner Group gone?
Today's Big Question Kremlin takes control of Russian mercenaries after aborted mutiny and death of leadership
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
Will Ukraine's leadership reset work?
Today's Big Question Zelenskyy hints at ousting of popular military chief, but risks backlash amid dwindling munitions, delayed funding and Russian bombardment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Imran Khan sentenced to 10 years: how powerful is Pakistan's military?
Today's Big Question The country's armed forces ignore country's economic woes, control its institutions and, critics say, engineer election results
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Iran's endgame?
Today's Big Question Tehran seeks to supplant US and Saudi Arabia as dominant power in Middle East while forcing Israel to end Gaza war
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Israel proposes two-month pause in Gaza war in exchange for all Hamas hostages
Speed Read Deal doesn't include an agreement to end war, but might be 'the only path that could lead to a ceasefire', said US officials
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published