Fearless Russians Defy Secret Police To Protest Invasion Of Ukraine

People across Russia are protesting President Putin's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine by taking to the streets of its biggest cities.

The protestors have gathered in central areas of over 40 different cities, including Moscow and St Petersburg, to raise chants and face up to the police.

A spokesperson for Russia's Investigative Committee said: "One should be aware of the negative legal consequences of these actions in the form of prosecution up to criminal liability."

Footage on the ground shows police dressed in riot gear dragging protestors from the streets as others continue to chant in the background.

Russia's laws are very strict against any form of protest so demonstrations often result in mass arrests and, according to The Jerusalem Post, police have already arrested over 1,000 people.

A view of the protest in central Moscow this evening. Thousands across the country are risking serious repercussions to protest Putin’s attack on Ukraine. More than 850 people detained so far. pic.twitter.com/KHog0Acbir

— Matthew Luxmoore (@mjluxmoore) February 24, 2022

Those in Putin's hometown St Petersburg shouted 'No to war' among the buildings of Pushkin Square as police vehicles lined the streets with sirens flashing.

In one video police arrest an old woman carrying a sign claiming she was a survivor of the siege of Leningrad when Nazi Germany besieged St Petersburg (then Leningrad) and over three million Russians died.

Russian activist Marina Litvinovich was one of the first to call for anti-war protests with a 7pm 'walk' but the Russian police were quick to arrest her.

She confirmed her arrest with Reuters and said she had been caught on the way to her home.

A detained Navalny told video news outlet Dozhd: "I am against this war. This war between Russia and Ukraine was unleashed to cover up the theft from Russian citizens and divert their attention from problems that exist inside the country."

Russia's fourth-largest city Yekaterinburg also saw over 100 people protesting on its streets, according to Znak.com.

World leaders have reacted to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with outrage and vows of unprecedented sanctions.

But there remains an overbearing sense of powerlessness to defend Ukraine militarily without running the risk of a wider war in Europe.