Nearly 800 people were arrested in Russia during protests against military mobilization

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed into law amendments that would punish soldiers who desert or refuse to fight with up to ten years in prison, in a move to fully mobilize reservists to fight in Ukraine.

These firm measures did not deter opponents of the regional mobilization from demonstrating across the country on Saturday, with at least 796 people arrested in 33 cities, including nearly half in Moscow. According to OVD-Info, an organization that specializes in counting arrestees.

“We are not cannon fodder! », threw a young woman in Moscow while police wearing riot helmets dragged her away. This is one of the slogans of the demonstrators who oppose the sending of mobilized troops to Ukraine.

In the country’s second-largest city, St. Petersburg (northwest), Ilya, 22, brought a small banner bearing the word “Peace.” “I want to express my disagreement with what is happening (…) I don’t want to fight for Putin”he said. “I am against war and mobilization. I fear for the youth.”Another resident, Natalia, explains that she is 70 years old.

By Wednesday, the day Putin announced the rally, nearly 1,400 demonstrators had already been arrested.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke directly to Russian citizens on Saturday evening, telling them that their president was sending it knowingly. “Civilian Death”.

The mobilization order, which officials say is about 300,000 people, has sparked concern among many Russians, with some choosing to flee the country. Russian officials confirmed a visit on Saturday “Important” The number of cars trying to enter Georgia is estimated at 2,300 vehicles at one border crossing alone.

Borders with Kazakhstan and Mongolia have seen an influx of Russians, with people sometimes waiting for hours to cross.

On Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made a statement “evacuation” There were Russians “Too Overrated”.