Russian government threatens anti-war protesters as discontent grows

The Russian government has warned against anti-war protesters gathering as discontent appears to grow over the country's invasion of Ukraine.

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

The warning comes after a prominent opposition activist, Marina Litvinovich, was reportedly detained after calling for demonstrations against the war.

“We will be cleaning up this mess for years to come. Not even us. But our children and grandchildren,” the Moscow-based activist wrote on Facebook earlier on Thursday.

“All we see is the agony of a dying man. Alas, Russia is in agony.”

Videos posted on social media appeared to show small scale anti-war protests already taking place in Russia, with demonstrators in the city of Yekaterinburg seen chanting "No to war":

A high profile Russian polling agency, Levada Center, said in a statement on Thursday that for the "first time in months we are seeing the beginning of an anti-war movement.”