Footage shows anti-war protesters in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on February 24 evening following the invasion of Ukraine.

Independent Russian human rights monitor OVD-Info said around 340 people were arrested in Saint Petersburg. It said at least 1,391 protesters have been detained as protests across 51 cities amid anger from opposition at the invasion of Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine’s Donbas region. He said in a public address on Thursday: ‘We decided to launch a special military action aimed at demilitarisation and denazification of Ukraine.’

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has pleaded for peace, but added that Ukraine will defend itself from any invasion attempts. He said: ‘If they attack, if they try to take our county – our freedom, our lives, the lives of our children – we will be defending ourselves.’