... stop the destruction of a Moscow region forest to make way for a road connecting the city of Zhukovsky with the nearby site of the MAKS international air show. Workers, guarded by police, tore down the makeshift camp and demanded that campers leave, activists and witnesses told The Moscow Times. “Tents have been ripped apart and belongings were thrown into cars,” local ecological activist Nikolai Kachnov said. The development might pose the first political test for new Moscow region Governor...

An opposition activist was detained and beaten after he tried to enter Christ the Savior Cathedral to pray to deliver Russia from Vladimir Putin. An opposition activist was detained and beaten after he tried to enter Christ the Savior...

... for the city to build such schools in parks and eliminates public hearings on certain types of development projects in urban green spaces. "They think, 'Aha! We will build a kindergarten — who will oppose a kindergarten?'" conservation activist Alexandrà Andreyeva said, talking about the contractor that built a kindergarten in her local park, the Stroganov Estate on the Yauza River embankment. City Hall allowed a new school to be built on the estate — a federally protected architectural...

... reporter Rachel Nielsen said riot police look as though they are raiding the square, herding people out and using their batons repeatedly against people. Thousands of people remain on and around Bolotnaya Ploshchad, Kommersant-FM reported. Blue Buckets activist Danila Lindele posted a picture of a woman being arrested on his Twitter account: 7:32 p.m., Udaltsov, Nemtsov, Navalny Could Receive 15 Days in Jail: Police told detained opposition leaders Sergei Udaltsov, Alexei Navalny and Boris Nemtsov that...

... Moscow and St. Petersburg. About 150 people were detained Sunday as scores of people gathered for a series of anti-government demonstrations in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Police detained some 40 people outside the Mayor's Office, where gay rights activists gathered to protest anti-gay legislation passed in several Russian cities and waiting for a vote in the capital. YouTube footage from the rally showed the protesters — who also demanded the right to hold a gay pride parade — being...

Protesters believe that plans to build a road through Zhukovsky Forest are a pretext to construct a multi-billion-dollar aviation center. Activists removing a fence in Zhukovsky Forest, in the Moscow region, and a confrontation between protesters and police, on April 30. Video by Alexandra Odynova / MT ZHUKOVSKY, Moscow Region — They wrote protest letters and research papers, appealed...

After days of speculation, riot police swooped in and dismantled the opposition's Occupy-style encampment in a central Moscow park early Wednesday morning, detaining more than 20 exhausted activists and hustling the others into a nearby metro station. After days of speculation, riot police swooped in and dismantled the opposition's Occupy-style encampment in a central Moscow park early Wednesday morning, detaining more...

... it’s hard to say,” he said. “We’re expecting a lot of people.” The fine for exceeding the limit imposed by authorities is 2,000 rubles ($68).  Amid reports of deepening divisions within the opposition movement, a group of activists has announced an unsanctioned rally of 3,000 to 5,000 on Manezh Square at 7 p.m. on Sunday. “We’re going to stand there until Putin leaves his post,” said Mark Galperin, a co-organizer of the event, adding that activists hope...

... camps. Police said at least 50 were arrested over the weekend, saying most of those detained were from other cities, unemployed, or homeless, Interfax reported. But protesters have remained on the streets despite police efforts. White Paddy Wagon activist Vadim Dergachev denied reports that the protesters had been evicted from their latest stronghold on the pedestrian street Arbat, writing on Twitter that at least 150 people remained on the street Sunday morning. He later tweeted "Protest...

In a close vote, State Duma deputies on Tuesday gave tentative approval to a bill that would sharply increase fines on protesters who participate in illegal rallies, even as police detained opposition activists for protesting the legislation outside. In a close vote, State Duma deputies on Tuesday gave tentative approval to a bill that would sharply increase fines on protesters who participate in illegal rallies, even as police detained...

... to more than a thousand by some estimates. Volunteers bring bags of McDonald's hamburgers, homemade soup and tea. Proto-politicians mount soapboxes to denounce the regime and announce their vision for a new Russia. In spontaneous discussion groups, activists talk about ways to ensure free elections, how to act in police custody and how to spread the movement outside of Moscow. Girls with pageboy haircuts walk around with open garbage bags, collecting bottles and used napkins and cigarette butts...

Sweden’s Loreen won the Eurovision Song Contest in Azerbaijan on Sunday before an international TV audience of 100 million, days after angering Azeri authorities by meeting rights activists critical of the host country’s human rights record. BAKU, Azerbaijan — Sweden’s Loreen won the Eurovision Song Contest in Azerbaijan on Sunday before an international TV audience of 100 million, days after angering Azeri...

... hours. The camp, whose numbers range from several dozen during the night to hundreds during the evenings, has been the nexus of opposition to President Vladimir Putin's inauguration since last Wednesday. Tuesday’s announcement threw opposition activists into disarray, with some continuing with what has become their new routine — holding lectures, serving food and providing security — while others called an emergency “assembly” to determine a response. Surrounded by scores...

... street by the riot police. The long day of wandering Moscow's streets for a place to protest turned into an even longer night as hundreds of demonstrators led by anti-corruption blogger Alexei Navalny and leftist activist Sergei Udaltsov attempted to kick-start a nonstop protest. Having been pushed from place to place all Monday, the demonstrators were called to the Kitai-Gorod district in the late evening and were joined there by Navalny and Udaltsov, who...

Hundreds of opposition activists joined several thousand Communists in a Victory Day march down Tverskaya Ulitsa that was also a show of resilience for the "non-stop" protest against President Vladimir Putin's inauguration. Hundreds of opposition activists joined...

An ordinary torchlit procession set for Thursday to commemorate World War II heroes has sparked an unexpected controversy, with calls from activists to stop the event because it reminded them of torchlit marches by the Hitler Youth. An ordinary torchlit procession set for Thursday to commemorate World War II heroes has sparked an unexpected controversy, with calls from activists to stop...

... isn’t dying down,” said Rubinshtein, a poet. “The fact that so many people showed up is also evidence that literature still carries some weight in our society.” The event was called the Test March to see whether anti-Kremlin activists could walk around freely. Last week, people were detained for just wearing white ribbons — the symbol of the protesters, or for no clear reason at all. “We are now fighting for our right to walk where we want to,” satirist...

A religiously themed art exhibition organized in Krasnodar by a prominent patron of the arts has sparked a flurry of protest from activists and even a fake bomb threat, despite being supported by a senior Russian Orthodox Church official. A religiously themed art exhibition organized in Krasnodar by a prominent patron of the arts has sparked a flurry of protest...

A Ukrainian women's rights activist stripped to the waist and seized the Euro 2012 football trophy while it was on public display in Kiev this weekend to protest the forthcoming monthlong championship. KIEV — A Ukrainian women's rights...

This week, Vladimir Putin invited rapper Timati and lion-taming brothers Edgard and Askold Zapashny to his big day. On the other side of the barricades, it girl and media personality Ksenia Sobchak won the activist's badge of pride by finally getting arrested. This week, Vladimir Putin invited rapper Timati and lion-taming brothers Edgard and Askold Zapashny to his big day. On the other side of the barricades, it girl and media personality Ksenia...