After Russia invades Ukraine, police arrest hundreds of anti-war protestors

Russian police have arrested around 705 citizens all across the country for protesting President Vladimir Putin’s decision to mount a Ukraine invasion, The Jerusalem Post reported. 

There have been anti-war protests in around 40 Russian cities. Among these, is St Petersburg, Putin’s hometown, as per The Jerusalem Post. 

Russian police detained protestors in Moscow Square, who were chanting anti-Putin messages, including saying no to war. Currently, the square has been closed off by the police. 

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Russia had earlier warned that any anti-war protests would be met with strict action when it launched the invasion of Ukraine in earnest. 

Further, the Vladimir Putin led government had stated there were no plans to invade Ukraine, despite the massive troop buildup at its border. Russia remained resolute in its demands that Ukraine’s entry into NATO should be blocked, and the member nations should reduce military presence in eastern Europe. However, it had also said that US warnings of invasion were mere hysteria to position troops along Russia’s borders. 

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In the events leading up to the open assault, Russia recognized pro-Russian separatist territories as independent and sent troops for a special military mission. However, NATO members and Ukraine have viewed it as an assault. Accordingly, sanctions have been imposed, with several of them targeting Russian individuals.  

While most of the world has aligned itself against Russia, China has still extended some amount of support. It urged that Russia’s security concerns be taken seriously, and has constantly stated that all sides must show restraint in this situation. 

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President Putin and Chinese head of state Xi Jinping met during the Beijing Olympics where the leaders presented a united front, especially against the western image of portraying their governing as authoritarian. 

Even though Russian police are detaining anti-war protestors, there are demonstrations being planned across cities in the US as well, aimed at pressuring Putin to drop the Ukraine invasion. A protest was already staged outside the Russian embassy in the US, at Washington, The Jerusalem Post reported.