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Protests against mobilisation: detentions, court hearings and pressure

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Detention at a protest against mobilisation in St Petersburg on 21 September / Photo: SOTA

On 21 September, Vladimir Putin announced a “partial” mobilisation. Following this, protests took place in more than 40 cities—as a result, law enforcement officers detained over 1,300 people. Courts are handing out arrests and fines to those detained—OVD-Info is monitoring the consequences of the protests and maintaining a live chronology.

21.09.2025

16:03

Moscow

In Moscow, security forces detained the mother of a mobilized soldier who was taking part in a solo protest. This was reported by Paulina Safronova, the wife of another participant in the war in Ukraine, on her Telegram channel.

On the anniversary of the announcement of partial mobilisation, the woman went to the Ministry of Defence with a placard reading: “21.09.22–21.09.25.” Her clothes were torn during the arrest.

18:47 The detained woman’s name is Lidiya; a report was drawn up against her for disobeying the police (Art. 19.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences), and she was held overnight at the Luzhniki police station until her court hearing. This was reported by ASTRA, citing Paulina Safronova.

22 September The detained protester has been out of contact for a day, reports the Telegram channel “Protection of the Rights of the Mobilized.” Her lawyer has not been allowed in because the duty officer is absent and access is forbidden as a result.

According to the channel, her administrative case has not yet been sent to court.

23 September Lidiya, the mother of the mobilized soldier, was released from the police station after two days—the maximum legal detention period. Paulina Safronova posted a video of her on her channel.

She specified that the court gave the detainee two fines: one for “discrediting the army” (Art. 20.3.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences) and one for disobeying police officers (Art. 19.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences). The first fine was 30,000 rubles (about US$320), the second—3,000 rubles (about US$32).

“Let’s say this is my cautionary experience, showing that even lawful things can turn out to be unlawful. But there must be something lawful left! So, ladies, don’t give up!” the mother of the mobilized soldier said.

25.06.2025

11:22

Ulyanovsk Oblast

A resident of Togliatti, convicted over setting fire to the steps of the local administration building, has been transferred to prison.

20.03.2025

12:52

Moscow

The Moscow City Court has closed the administrative case against a Moscow woman accused of violating the rules for organising public events (part 5 of article 20.2 of the Administrative Code). This was reported by her lawyer from OVD-Info.

The woman was detained on 24 September 2022 at Chistye Prudy. She was accused of participating in an anti-mobilisation protest, although she was not taking part in the rally.

The case was closed due to improper notification of OVD-Info’s client, the defendant.