Over 1,700 Russians detained during anti-war demonstrations
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Police officers detain a demonstrator during a protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Moscow on Feb. 24. Photo: Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty Images
Russian police detained more than 1,700 people participating in protests on Thursday against Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, according to OVD-Info, a Russia-based human rights organization that monitors political persecution in the country.
Why it matters: Hundreds of people organized in multiple Russian cities — including Moscow and Saint Petersburg — for protests despite warnings from the government that participants would be arrested.
- According to OVD-Info, demonstrators in more than 50 cities were detained.
- The anti-war demonstrations are the largest organized protests against the Russian government since the Kremlin arrested Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny last year.
The big picture: Thousands of people around the world participated in demonstrations rebuking Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on Thursday.
Worldwide protests in photos:
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