On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine, launching missiles and sending thousands of troops across its borders. Following the attack, protests erupted in countries around the world—including Russia. Hundreds of people gathered in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and other Russian cities to demonstrate against their government’s actions, and calling for an end to the war. Most of these protests were disrupted by police, and many of the demonstrators were detained.
Anti-war Protests in Russia
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![Dozens of people are seen marching in a city street behind a hand-made banner reading (in Russian) "Ukraine—Peace, Russia—Freedom".]()
Read moreDemonstrators march with a banner that reads "Ukraine—Peace, Russia—Freedom," in Moscow on February 24, 2022, after Russia's attack on Ukraine. #
Dmitry Serebryakov / AP -
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![A police officer records a woman holding a sign that reads (in Russian) "No to war with Ukraine."]()
Read moreA police officer uses his smartphone to film a woman staging a protest with a placard reading "No to war with Ukraine" in Moscow, on February 23, 2022. #
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![A young man carries blue and yellow flowers.]()
Read moreA man holding flowers in the colors of the Ukrainian flag attends a protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine in central Moscow on February 24, 2022. #
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![Two police officers detain a man holding a sign reading (in Russian) "No war with Ukraine! Putin must resign!"]()
Read morePolice officers detain a man holding a placard reading "No war with Ukraine! Putin must resign!" during a protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine at Moscow's Pushkinskaya Square on February 24, 2022. #
Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP / Getty -
![A crowd of protesters march in a city, one carrying a sign reading (in Russian) "No war. Freedom for political prisoners."]()
Read moreA person carries a banner during an anti-war protest in Moscow on February 24, 2022. The banner reads "No war. Freedom for political prisoners." #
Evgenia Novozhenina / Reuters -
![The silhouettes of four police officers in riot gear is seen against an illuminated decoration.]()
Read morePolice officers are seen deployed in the streets of Moscow during a protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. #
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![Police detain a person carrying a sign with a heart drawn on it and text (in Russian) reading "No war."]()
Read moreA police officer detains a demonstrator with a poster reading "No war" during a protest against Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Moscow, on February 24, 2022. #
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![Several police officers push down and detain two protesters.]()
Read morePolice officers detain anti-war demonstrators in Moscow on February 24, 2022. #
Dmitry Serebryakov / AP -
![Two police officers grab and detain a protester.]()
Read morePolice officers detain a demonstrator during a protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Moscow on February 24, 2022. #
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![A person is detained by police officers in a park.]()
Read moreA person is detained by police during an anti-war protest in Moscow on February 24, 2022. #
Evgenia Novozhenina / Reuters -
![A person cries while sitting on a planter on a city sidewalk.]()
Read moreA person reacts during an anti-war protest in Moscow on February 24, 2022. #
Evgenia Novozhenina / Reuters -
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![Three police officers detain a protester.]()
Read morePolice officers detain a man during a Moscow protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. #
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![A large crowd of people gather along a street during a protest.]()
Read morePeople attend an anti-war protest in St. Petersburg on February 24, 2022. #
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![A group of people attend a protest with banners reading (in Russian) "I'm ashamed to be Russian" and "No war"]()
Read morePeople attend an anti-war protest in St. Petersburg on February 24, 2022. The banners read: "I'm ashamed to be Russian" and "No war." #
Anton Vaganov / Reuters -
![A police officer uses a loudspeaker to address a group of protesters.]()
Read moreA police officer uses a loudspeaker to address people gathered to protest Russia's invasion of Ukraine in central St. Petersburg on February 24, 2022. #
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![A person holds a placard reading "no war" in Russian, during a larger protest.]()
Read moreA demonstrator in St. Petersburg holding a sign reading "No war" protests Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. #
Sergei Mikhailichenko / AFP / Getty -
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![A group of protesters gathers on a street.]()
Read moreA demonstrator displays a sign during an anti-war protest in St. Petersburg on February 24, 2022. The sign reads: "No to war in Ukraine! Return the forces home!" #
Anton Vaganov / Reuters -
![A police officer detains a woman, pulling on her arm.]()
Read moreA police officer detains a woman during a gathering in St. Petersburg on February 24, 2022. #
Dmitri Lovetsky / AP -
![Police officers hold down and detain two people.]()
Read morePolice officers detain demonstrators during an anti-war protest in St. Petersburg on February 24, 2022. #
Anton Vaganov / Reuters -
![Several police officers carry a demonstrator alongside a bus.]()
Read morePolice officers detain a demonstrator in central St. Petersburg on February 24, 2022. #
Sergei Mikhailichenko / AFP / Getty
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