Inside Russia's Anti-Putin Protest Movement

► For more, visit Mother Jones

Strict suppression of the media has made it difficult to ascertain how the invasion has been playing in Russia, where Putin has framed it as a rescue mission to save Russian speakers from Ukrainian neo-Nazis and drug dealers. Yet even when the reprisals for speaking out are severe, the attack on Ukraine has prompted an unusual surge of outrage and acts of civil disobedience. Thousands, mostly young people in their 20s and 30s but also a few families, have taken to the streets in cities across the country to demonstrate for peace. So far about 13,000 people have been arrested in about 150 Russian cities for protesting since the start of Russia’s attacks on Ukraine. Sunday, March 6, was the largest day of protests and arrests yet. Nearly 5,000 people were detained in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and 66 other Russian cities. Most people face about 15 to 30 days in prison depending on how many times they’ve been caught at demonstrations before, but those who have been caught three times in a year may be sent to prison for up to five years.

Mother Jones contributing reporter Molly Schwarts speaks to protesters taking incredible risks for this look at the growing movement. “They feel like this issue and what's at stakethe future of Russia, its role in the world, the lives of people in Ukrainethat's worth taking those risks and fighting for,” Molly says. Read her report here

--

For more awardwinning independent reporting, visit Mother Jones