Newsman: More than 1,400 people were arrested across Russia in a protest on military call to war against Ukraine. The anti-war demonstrations were held in 38 cities across the country, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, the independent Russian human rights group OVD-Info reported. These are first nationwide protests of the war since it began Feb. 24. Russia passed a law in February that makes it a criminal offense, with punishment of up to 15 years in prison, to “discredit” the military, including opposing the so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine. Moscow’s prosecutor’s office warned against such actions earlier in the day.
Defying strict laws against expressing disapproval of the war in Ukraine, legions of Russians took to the streets Wednesday to protest the government’s plan to call into military service up to 300,000 of their fellow citizens.
The Associated Press reported police in heavy body armor tackled demonstrators in front of Moscow shops, taking some away as they chanted, “No to war!”
