The fight between Other Russia member Andrei Pesotsky and former member Igor Chepkasovy was a continuation of a feud the pair had been having online.
During the encounter, which took place at a discussion of a planned For Fair Elections march, Pesotsky fired at his adversary from a gas pistol, a non-lethal weapon that can be used to fire flares or as a movie prop.
Upon hearing the shot, a third activist, nationalist Nikolai Bondarik, approached and fired a blank into the air from his own starter pistol.
No one was injured in the incident.
Meetings held in recent months by opposition leaders to organize public rallies have been marked by frequent strife, but this appeared to be the first time shots had been fired at such an event.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
