A poet assaulted by police after he recited a poem objecting to Russia’s war in Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin’s 24 years in power are almost certain to be extended six more by this month's presidential election. Along with opposition politicians, independent journalists and human rights activists, ordinary Russians have been increasingly swept up in a crackdown reminiscent of the Soviet era. He was a regular at monthly recitals in the center of Moscow, near the monument to Soviet poet Vladimir Mayakovsky. In her Telegram blog, Pilipenko has described Petrova, 30, as “an ordinary girl” who “merely shared her thoughts on social media."

Source: ABC News March 09, 2024 11:21 UTC