More anti-war protests in Russia over Ukraine conflict

More than 700 people have been arrested acro anti-war demonstrations have broken out across Russia in protest against the country's invasion of its neighbour, Ukraine.

The protests come despite a warning from the Russian authorities that demonstrators would be arrested.

Protesters in St. Petersburg, President Vladimir Putin's hometown, could be heard chanting "no to war".

❗️St. #Petersburg now pic.twitter.com/ppYjyPWVhe
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) February 24, 2022

As could demonstrators in Novosibirsk in southern Russia:

In #Novosibirsk, #Russia, local residents are marching in #protest against the Russian invasion of #Ukraine:pic.twitter.com/LjgAosDJXg
— Alexander Kokcharov (@alex_kokcharov) February 24, 2022

Speaking on Russian TV, a spokesperson from Russia's interior ministry cited the Covid-19 pandemic as a reason why protests were banned in the country.

Earlier on Thursday, the Investigative Committee of Russia had warned citizens of legal repercussions for joining unsanctioned protests related to "the tense foreign political situation".

Sources in Moscow told MEE an anti-war demonstration was planned for tonight, but that there were fears over potential police crackdowns.