'Sick and evil': Putin slammed for arresting kids protesting Ukraine invasion in Moscow

Vladimir Putin slammed on the internet for arresting primary school children for taking part in anti-war protests. On Tuesday, heart-rending images of children detained in the back of a police van after taking part in anti-war protests in Moscow were shared by Russian opposition politician Ilya Yashin, which shocked and enraged thousands of people.

According to photographs shared by Ilya Yashin showed at least three children, no older than primary school age, sitting in the back of a Moscow police van in Moscow holding flowers and banners. One reporter said the children went to lay flowers at the city's Ukrainian embassy. One girl is seen holding a sign that says "No War" in Russian, with small Russian and Ukrainian flags been painted around the words. To the right, the two flags are drawn followed by a small pink heart, followed by the quote, "Russia plus Ukraine equals love."

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Another photo shows a girl in a pink puffer jacket standing up against metal bars that are keeping them inside the van, and her face appears to be red as if she had been crying. A third picture shows the same girl sitting on a chair next to a desk, where a woman in a police uniform and a mask is working on a computer, which suggests that the children were taken to the police station.

These pictures have stirred up quite a commotion on the internet. People are furious with Russian President Vladimir Putin for being so desperate and arresting kids who are peacefully protesting. A user tweeted, "What about allowing people the right to peaceful protest. Then they wouldn't have to arrest mothers and children. But of course Putin is too scared to hear a different opinion."

"So putin started to arrest children now? what a dick move. im so sorry for russian people who had never asked for this in the first place," another wrote.

"Ffs this is really unreal, children have no clue what is going on, but U arrest them, the Russian police & put them in jail with there Parents, also having to go to court, at a later date, Russians open ur eyes, Putin is Lying to U all & all the children wanted 2 do was lay down", a user tweeted.

Another wrote, "Putin is at war with children. In Ukraine, where his missiles hit kindergartens and hospitals. In Russia. 7 y.o. David and Sofia, 9 y.o. Matvey, 11 y.o. Gosha and Liza were arrested in Moscow for their ‘NO TO WAR’ posters at the Ukraine Embassy. They were released at midnight."

A user angrily tweeted, "Only sick, evil and deranged dictators and their followers arrest children! 🤬 #PutinWarCriminal #putin #Satan ##moscow #StPetersburg #Russia #UkraineKrieg #Ukraine #NATO #EuropeanUnion @NATO @EUCouncil @EP_President @vonderleyen @WhiteHouse."