Russia detains journalists at Moscow protest by soldiers’ wives

At least 27 people were detained as a group representing the wives of mobilised soldiers gathered to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier monument

For several weeks, the wives of mobilised men sent to Ukraine have been staging protests outside the Kremlin walls, demanding the men be brought home

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Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with members of the Security Council via a video link in Moscow, Russia, September 29, 2022. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:12pm, 3 Feb 2024Updated: 7:32am, 4 Feb 2024

Dozens of people were detained by police in central Moscow on Saturday at a rally protesting against Russia’s mobilisation of men to fight in Ukraine, a human rights group said.

At least 27 people were detained as a group representing the wives of mobilised soldiers gathered at the Kremlin wall to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier monument, said OVD-Info, which reports on freedom of assembly in Russia.

Most of the detained were journalists, it added, saying later that some of the people were let go.

A number of people were also detained at other locations in central Moscow, OVD-Info said.

A detained Agence France-Presse video journalist said the Russian and foreign reporters were transported in a van to a police station.

Maria Andreeva, in white, whose husband was mobilised in 2022 to join Russian armed forces in Ukraine, visits the election headquarters of President Vladimir Putin in January with other wives of mobilised servicemen to demand the return from the frontline of their husbands, sons and brothers. Photo: Reuters

The group of all male reporters were detained as they covered and filmed the women walking up to Red Square.