Thousands of brave anti-war protesters clashed with armed police in Russia yesterday.
Crowds gathered in the capital demanding President Vladimir Putin halt the vicious invasion into Ukraine.
Violence broke out as hundreds gathered in Pushkin Square, one of the busiest areas in Moscow.
Brave citizens gathered knowing full well how severe the repercussions could be, in order to speak out against the invasion of Ukraine .
Protestors face serious consequences with authorities known to harass even peaceful gatherings.
Those who dare to speak out against Putin and his cronies face imprisonment of up to five years and heavy fines.
Protests
On Thursday, Russian police were said to have arrested as many as 1,745 anti-war protesters in 54 different cities, according to rights group OVD-Info.
Protesters chanted slogans against the war and in support of Ukraine such as "Hands-off Ukraine!" and "no to war!"
Police could be seen acting quickly, dragging people to waiting trucks, while others watched on in horror.
The scenes sparked outrage around the globe, as protesters were wrestled to the ground by riot police, and dragged into waiting trucks.
One video captured the moment an elderly woman was roughly marched away by two officers, all while continuing to hold her anti-war sign aloft.
Another clip showed a man calling for the arrest of Putin while being dragged away from the demonstration.
Meanwhile, activist Marina Litvinovich, who had called for protest, was detained as she left her home in Moscow
In a statement, translated by Radio Free Europe, Litvinovich said: "I know that many of you right now feel desperate, powerless, and ashamed over the attack by Vladimir Putin on the friendly people of Ukraine.
“But I call on you not to be desperate and come out to the central squares of your cities at 7 pm today and clearly and explicitly say that we, the people of Russia , are against the war unleashed by Putin".
TikTok
One Russian blogger took to TikTok in a bid to explain the average Russian’s feelings about the war.
Natasha lives in St Petersburg, which is the fourth-most densely populated city in Europe and the second-largest in Russia.
She posted footage of chanting crowds in her home city, saying no to the unfolding conflict.
Natasha, who has 277,000 followers, added: “All of us in Russia are in shock right now.
“Many are crying, others don’t know what to do, some blame each other, nobody understands what all of this is for.
“Even my parents who are kind of pro-Putin don’t understand what all of this is for. Why?
“I’ve been dealing with hate towards me and other Russian bloggers for like around a month and I understand that the level of hate is just going to increase right now, but I want to remind you that we average Russians didn’t choose war.
“We didn’t choose this government. We have no hate towards Ukrainians, we have families, friends, colleagues, brothers and sisters there.
“I personally took part in protests, was personally speaking openly about everything that was going on in my opinion about this.
“I was helping people who were detained, risking my freedom. I travel to Donbas when there were shellings with charity mission to help kids and I looked into their eyes and saw what was there so as a Russian citizen I did everything I could and my conscience is clear.
“Today my heart and my mind is with Ukrainians. Russia is the aggressor here.”
Online petitions
Many Russians living elsewhere have been sure to make their feelings about their home country's invasion clear.
Some signed online petitions pleading with the Kremlin to put a stop to the ongoing violence in Ukraine
.
One petition, started by opposition activist Lev Ponomavyov, clocked up more than 150,000 signatures within a matter of hours.
And more than 600 scientists have penned a joint letter against the war, stating that the conflict is "senseless" and "unfair".
A similarly worded letter, started by Kommersant correspondent Elena Chernenko, has been signed by more than 200 journalists, including by those working at state outlets.
Celebrities
Some of the country’s most well-known celebrities also spoke out on social media against the war.
Their statements provoked hope - as many praised them for highlighting the ongoing invasion.
Comedian Maxim Galkin wrote: "I can't find the words to get across what I feel! How can this be possible? No war!"
Singer Valery Meladze shared an emotional clip pleading for the invasion to stop, as she said: "Today something happened that should have never happened. I beg you, please stop the war."
