At least 1,240 people were arrested on Wednesday September 21 in Russia during improvised demonstrations against the partial mobilization for the offensive in Ukraine, announced in the morning by President Vladimir Putin, according to a still provisional count established by the Russian NGO OVD .

This organization, which has been monitoring demonstrations and counting arrests for several years, ensures that the mobilizations took place in at least 38 cities in the country.

These are the largest protests in Russia since those following the announcement of Moscow's offensive in Ukraine in late February.

AFP journalists in Moscow saw at least 50 arrests on one of the central arteries of the capital.

In St. Petersburg, Russia's second largest city, a whole bus of arrested people was taken by police to the center.

The demonstrators chanted "No to war!"

and "No mobilization!".

"Everyone is scared. I'm for peace and I don't want to have to shoot. But it's very dangerous to go out now, otherwise there would have been a lot more people," said student protester Vasily Fedorov. in the former imperial capital and sporting a pacifist emblem on his chest.

"No to war!"

Alexei Zavarki, 60, regrets the immediate police response to the rallies.

"I came to participate, but it seems that they have already taken everyone on board," he said, before adding: "I don't know where we are going, this regime has signed its death warrant, is destroying the youth ".

"Why are you serving Putin? A man who has been sitting on his throne for twenty years!" shouted another protester in the direction of the police.

"I'm afraid for me, for my brother who is 25 years old and who has done his military service. He can be called up," explains Oksana Sidorenko, a student.

"Why is my future decided for me?"

Alina Skvortsova, 20, hopes the Russians are beginning to "understand" the nature of the Kremlin's offensive in Ukraine.

"As soon as they really understand, they will go out into the streets, despite the fear."

In an address to the nation on Wednesday morning, Vladimir Putin decreed a partial mobilization of Russian reservists for the offensive in Ukraine and assured that he was ready to use "all means" in his arsenal against the West.

With AFP

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