Over 60 Detained in Russia Protesting Election as Tensions Escalate
Detentions have been reported across Russia as demonstrators participated in the "Noon Against Putin" protests, coinciding with the country's presidential election. Human rights group OVD-Info documented that over 60 individuals were arrested in at least 16 cities, with notable arrests including 26 in Kazan and 14 in Moscow. These demonstrations, supported by allies of the late opposition leader Alexey Navalny, aimed to show opposition voters' presence and reject President Vladimir Putin's bid for another term.
The protests also took place internationally, with activities in Berlin and an incident involving Molotov cocktails at the Russian embassy in Moldova. In Moscow, long queues were seen at polling stations where hundreds awaited to partake in the protest. The opposition has criticized the election process, with some figures like former State Duma member Ilya Ponomarev suggesting that a vote for Putin would only legitimize his administration.
During the three-day voting period, participation reportedly exceeded 74 percent, with several hours remaining before polls closed. Despite the large turnout, critics have continued to express concerns over the election's legitimacy and have urged Russians to protest as polling centers shut down. The elections and protests have been shadowed by allegations of Ukraine employing drones to strike targets in Russia, which Moscow has labeled as "terrorist activity." However, there have been no reported casualties from these incidents.
