Russian Police Arrest Thousands of Protestors, Calls Mount for Russia to Withdraw From Ukraine

• Russian police arrested more than 1 700 people who protested against the Russian invasion of Ukraine
• Recently Russia has been cracking down on anyone who displays opposition to the government
• Netizens applauded the protestors and said they were courageous, with some hoping that the protests would bring change

MOSCOW- Thousands of Russians took to the streets of Moscow to protest their country's invasion of Ukraine. However, they were met with force.

Russian police arrived at the scene and forcefully arrested over 1 700 people who were involved in the protests. Similar protests in Saint Petersburg ended in protestors being detained by Russian police.

According to eNCA, Russia is not only coming down hard on protestors but on anyone who shows opposition or defiance towards the government, including journalists and academics. While many are detained, some have been assassinated or forced into exile.

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Anti-Russia protests and their consequences

Alexey Navalny, a leader of the protests against Russia, is currently serving a two-and-a-half-year sentence for protesting against President Vladimir Putin. He is being detained outside Moscow in a penal colony, Al Jazeera reports.

Russians who oppose the invasion of Ukraine are using social media to mobilise and share their opinions on the conflict. One protestor, Svetlana Volkova, said she feels as if she is living in a surreal world.

“I have a feeling that the authorities have gone mad. People are being fooled by propaganda," 27-year-old Volkova said.

Reactions to Russian police detaining protestors

@Msw6701 believes:

"The world must single out PUTIN from the Russian people and he MUST end up in the war crimes court!"

@Kevin_Maguire remarked:

"These are the bravest Russians."

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@JohnSemple1 said:

"Incredible, these people are staggeringly brave."

@commodore997 shared:

"THIS can make a real difference. Kudos to those brave people!"

@goodgirls_mom said:

"Those Russian protesters are so brave… thank you from the world!"

Russia attacks Ukraine: Videos of terrifying scenes fill timelines up as people rush to safety

In other news about the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Briefly News previously reported that Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday, 24 February. Russian forces fired numerous missiles at various cities in Ukraine after President Vladimir Putin authorised a special military operation.

Reports state that Putin addressed the citizens of his country on TV shortly before explosions were heard in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv. Social media has been flooded with disturbing pictures and videos of Russia's attack.

The intention of Putin and his military operation was not made immediately apparent, but he was quoted stating that they do not intend on occupying Ukrainian territories.

Source: Briefly News