2021 Russian protests

{{further|Poisoning of Alexei Navalny}}

Navalny had been hospitalized on 20 August 2020, in serious condition after he was poisoned with a Novichok nerve agent during a flight from Tomsk to Moscow.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53844958|title=Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny 'poisoned'|work=BBC News|date=20 August 2020|access-date=20 August 2020|archive-date=20 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820094717/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53844958|url-status=live}} He was medically evacuated to Berlin and discharged on 22 September.{{cite news |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/09/14/navalny-taken-off-ventilator-as-novichok-recovery-continues-german-hospital-a71437|title=Navalny Taken Off Ventilator as Novichok Recovery Continues – German Hospital|website=The Moscow Times|date=14 September 2020}}{{cite news|last1=Zverev|first1=Anton|last2=Tétrault-Farber|first2=Gabrielle|last3=Ivanova|first3=Polina|last4=Teterevleva|first4=Anastasia|last5=Kiselyova|first5=Maria|date=27 August 2020|title=Russian prosecutors say no need for criminal investigation in Navalny affair|work=Reuters|editor-last=Rao|editor-first=Sujata|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-politics-navalny-probe/russian-prosecutors-say-no-need-for-criminal-investigation-in-navalny-affair-idUSKBN25N14R|access-date=2 September 2020}}{{cite web|date=9 September 2020|title=Russia Protests Germany's 'Unfounded Accusations' In Navalny Poisoning Case|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-protests-germany-s-unfounded-accusations-in-navalny-poisoning-case/30828886.html|access-date=24 December 2020|website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty}} The use of a Novichok nerve agent was confirmed by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).{{Cite web|date=6 October 2020|title=Watchdog Says Novichok-Type Nerve Agent Found in Navalny Samples|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/10/06/watchdog-says-novichok-type-nerve-agent-found-in-navalny-samples-a71674|website=The Moscow Times}}{{Cite web|date=6 October 2020|title=OPCW: Novichok found on Alexei Navalny samples|url=https://www.dw.com/en/opcw-novichok-found-on-alexei-navalny-samples/a-55176999|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214061834/https://www.dw.com/en/opcw-novichok-found-on-alexei-navalny-samples/a-55176999|archive-date=14 December 2020|access-date=6 October 2020|website=Deutsche Welle}} Though the Kremlin denied involvement in his poisoning,{{Cite news|date=25 August 2020|title=Kremlin dismisses claims Putin poisoned Navalny|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53903314|access-date=25 August 2020}} the EU and the UK responded by imposing sanctions on six senior Russian officials and a state chemical centre.{{cite web|last=Chappell|first=Bill|date=15 October 2020|title=EU Sanctions Russian Officials Over Navalny Poisoning, Citing Chemical Weapons Use|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/10/15/923982672/eu-sanctions-russian-officials-over-navalny-poisoning-citing-chemical-weapons-us|access-date=20 October 2020|website=NPR.org}}{{Cite news|date=15 October 2020|title=Navalny Novichok poisoning: EU sanctions hit top Russians|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54552480|access-date=20 October 2020}} Navalny accused president Vladimir Putin of being responsible for his poisoning.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54369664|title=Alexei Navalny blames Vladimir Putin for poisoning him|date=1 October 2020|last1=Rainsford|first1=Sarah|website=BBC News}} An investigation by Bellingcat and The Insider implicated agents from the Federal Security Service (FSB) in Navalny's poisoning.{{cite web|date=14 December 2020|title=Alexei Navalny: Report names 'Russian agents' in poisoning case|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-55303703|website=BBC News}}

Navalny returned to Russia on 17 January 2021, where he was immediately detained on accusations of violating terms of a suspended jail sentence.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55694598 |title=Russia Navalny: Poisoned opposition leader held after flying home |work=BBC News |date=17 January 2021|access-date=17 January 2021|language=en}} Prior to his return, the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) said that Navalny may face jail time upon his arrival in Moscow for violating the terms of his probation, saying it would be "obliged" to detain him once he returned;{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/01/14/russia-says-obliged-to-detain-navalny-upon-return-a72611|title=Russia Warns 'Obliged' to Detain Kremlin Critic Navalny on Return|website=The Moscow Times|date=14 January 2021}} in 2014, Navalny received a suspended sentence in the Yves Rocher case, which he called politically motivated and in 2017, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Navalny was unfairly convicted.{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/aleksei-oleg-navalny-yves-rocher-case-echr-unfairly-convicted/28799784.html|title=Human Rights Court Says Navalny Unfairly Convicted In 'Yves Rocher Case'|date=17 October 2017|website=rferl.org}}{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/en/news/2021/01/18/alexey-navalny-remanded-in-custody-for-30-days-pending-trial|title=Alexey Navalny remanded in custody for 30 days pending trial|website=Meduza.io|date=18 January 2021}} The Investigative Committee of Russia also said that it was investigating Navalny for alleged fraud.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/01/17/kremlin-foe-navalny-flying-back-to-russia-despite-risk-of-arrest-a72633|title=Kremlin Foe Navalny Flying Back to Russia Despite Risk of Arrest|date=17 January 2020|website=The Moscow Times}} A court decision the next day ordered the detention of Navalny until 15 February for violating his parole. A makeshift court was set up in the police station where Navalny was being held. Another hearing would later be held to determine whether his suspended sentence should be replaced with a jail term.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55700312|title=Alexei Navalny: Poisoned Putin critic Navalny jailed for 30 days|date=18 January 2021|website=bbc.com|publisher=BBC News}} Navalny described the procedure as “ultimate lawlessness”. He also called on his supporters to take to the streets, saying: “Do not be silent. Resist. Take to the streets – not for me, but for you”. Navalny's regional network head, Leonid Volkov, said that preparations were being made for protests to be organised across the country on 23 January.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/01/18/navalny-urges-russians-to-take-to-the-streets-over-jailing-a72646|title=Navalny Urges Russians To 'Take To The Streets' Over Jailing|website=The Moscow Times|date=18 January 2021}}

While in jail, an investigation by Navalny and his Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) was published on 19 January, accusing Putin of corruption involving the construction of a palace by the Black Sea known as "Putin's Palace". The video of the investigation also urged people to take to the streets.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-55732296|title=Alexei Navalny: Millions watch jailed critic's 'Putin palace' film|website=BBC News|date=20 January 2021}} Before the protests had begun, the video on YouTube received over 60 million views.{{cite web|url=https://charter97.org/ru/news/2021/1/22/408602/|title=У видео Навального о "дворце Путина" уже более 60 миллионов просмотров|website=charter97.org|date=22 January 2021}} By the next day the state communications watchdog Roskomnadzor was demanding the social networks VKontakte (VK) and TikTok to stop the spread of calls to the protests.{{cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/russia/746192|title=МВД пригрозило распространителям призывов протестовать 23 января|website=Interfax|date=21 January 2021}} The efficacy of these calls{{clarify|by the gvmt? or by social networks? or what?|date=January 2021}} is disputed.{{Cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/russia-claims-tiktok-deleted-young-people-s-protest-pre-1846112989|title=Russian Government Claims TikTok Deleted Young People's Protest Prep Videos at Its Behest|first=Aliide|last=Naylor|website=Gizmodo|date=22 January 2021 |access-date=24 January 2021}}

Arrests of several of Navalny's aides and allies, including Lyubov Sobol, began on 21 January.{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/ru/kak-vlasti-rf-pytajutsja-ne-dopustit-akcij-v-podderzhku-navalnogo/a-56306691|title=Как власти России готовились к акциям в поддержку Навального|website=dw.com|date=23 January 2021}} Several were jailed or fined on charges of disobeying police orders or organizing a public event without notifying the authorities, with Sobol being fined and released.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/01/22/navalny-allies-jailed-fined-as-russia-vows-crackdown-on-protests-a72697|title=Navalny Allies Jailed, Fined as Russia Vows Protest Crackdown|website=The Moscow Times|date=22 January 2021}} The Ministry of Internal Affairs also threatened to prosecute those spreading calls to join the protests. The Prosecutor General's Office also ordered the censor, Roskomnadzor, to block access to pages that call for unauthorized rallies.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/01/21/russia-threatens-arrests-prosecutions-for-promoting-navalny-protests-a72683|title=Russia Threatens Arrests, Prosecutions for Promoting Navalny Protests|website=The Moscow Times|date=21 January 2021}} On 22 January, the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for Moscow issued a statement warning against calls to the protests or participation in them. It stated that any attempts to hold unauthorized events as well as “provocative actions by the participants” would be regarded as a “threat to public order” and be “immediately suppressed”.{{cite web|url=https://77.xn--b1aew.xn--p1ai/news/item/22690368|title=ГУ МВД России по г. Москве предупреждает об ответственности за участие в несанкционированных акциях|website=77.мвд.рф|date=22 January 2021|access-date=23 January 2021|archive-date=24 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124102133/https://77.xn--b1aew.xn--p1ai/news/item/22690368|url-status=dead}} Social media networks began removing information about the protests. VK blocked access to a number of pages on the protests, with the pages stating that it was blocked on the requirement of the General Prosecutor's Office.{{cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2021-01-22/vkontakte_nachal_blokirovat_informaciyu_o_23_yanvarya|title="ВКонтакте" начал блокировать информацию о 23 января|website=znak.com|date=22 January 2021|access-date=23 January 2021|archive-date=24 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124102132/https://www.znak.com/2021-01-22/vkontakte_nachal_blokirovat_informaciyu_o_23_yanvarya|url-status=dead}} Roskomnadzor also stated that VK, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube blocked some content which involved “calls for children to participate in illegal mass events”.{{cite web|url=https://rkn.gov.ru/news/rsoc/news73310.htm|title=Социальные сети удаляют призывы к детям участвовать в незаконных массовых акциях|website=rkn.gov.ru|date=22 January 2021|access-date=23 January 2021|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122142500/https://rkn.gov.ru/news/rsoc/news73310.htm|url-status=dead}} However, Facebook and YouTube have countered this claim. Facebook said it “received requests from the local regulator to restrict access to certain content that calls for protest. Since this content doesn't violate our Community Standards, it remains on our platform.”

File:Митинг_за_Свободную_Россию!_Краснодар_23.01.2021_Крупнейший_в_истории_города_morozov_victor.webm protesters chanting demands (English subs available)]]

File:Golden toilet brush — symbol of the protest.jpg

File:Митинг 23 января 2021 года в Санкт-Петербурге.jpg, St. Petersburg]]

File:Protests against the arrest of Alexei Navalny. Saint Petersburg, 23 January 2021.jpg, St. Petersburg]]

Reuters estimated up to 40,000 protesters gathered in Moscow. Authorities gave a figure of only 4,000 participants, while other estimates included 15,000 and 25,000 participants.{{cite web|date=23 January 2021|title=Police crack down on Russian protests against jailing of Kremlin foe Navalny|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN29R10S|website=Reuters}}{{cite web|date=23 January 2021|title=День всероссийского протеста: как проходят акции в поддержку Навального|url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/live/news-55779010|website=BBC Russian}} Protesters began gathering at Tverskaya Street and Pushkinskaya Square, with a procession ending near Matrosskaya Tishina where Navalny was being held.{{cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2021-01-23/dymovye_shashki_i_izbieniya_kak_v_moskve_proshel_miting_obyavlennyy_komandoy_navalnogo|title="Леха, выходи" – Дымовые шашки и избиения: как в Москве прошел митинг, объявленный командой Навального|website=Znak.com|date=23 January 2021|access-date=24 January 2021|archive-date=3 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203174409/https://www.znak.com/2021-01-23/dymovye_shashki_i_izbieniya_kak_v_moskve_proshel_miting_obyavlennyy_komandoy_navalnogo|url-status=dead}} Riot police in the city began breaking up the protest and detaining participants before it was scheduled to start. Alexei Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, was detained by police at the exit of Moscow's Teatralnaya metro station;{{cite web|date=23 January 2021|title=Опубликовано видео задержания Юлии Навальной|url=https://news.ru/society/opublikovano-video-zaderzhaniya-yulii-navalnoj/|website=news.ru}} she was released after being detained for 3 hours.{{cite web|date=23 January 2021|title=В Москве задержали Юлию Навальную. Ее отпустили спустя три часа|url=https://meduza.io/news/2021/01/23/v-moskve-zaderzhali-yuliyu-navalnuyu|website=Meduza.io}} Navalny's ally, Lyubov Sobol, was also detained shortly after arriving at Pushkinskaya Square and was later fined.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/600c96a79a79477f7ae40389|title=Любовь Соболь оштрафовали на 20 тыс. руб. за организацию акции 23 января|website=rbc.ru|date=24 January 2021}} Clashes between police and protesters broke out. In Tsvetnoy Boulevard, an FSB car was stopped by a crowd of protesters and hit with snowballs, with the driver of the car reportedly sustaining an eye injury.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-23|title=На московском протесте закидали снежками машину с мигалками. Водителю выбили глаз|url=https://openmedia.io/news/n1/na-moskovskom-proteste-zakidali-snezhkami-mashinu-s-migalkami-voditelyu-yakoby-vybili-glaz/|access-date=2021-01-24|website=Открытые Медиа|language=ru-RU}} State media reported that around 40 police officers were injured. The Investigative Committee said that it opened a probe into instances of violence against police.{{cite web|date=23 January 2021|title=В Москве, по данным РИА Новости и ТАСС, на акции протеста пострадали около 40 силовиков. СК начал проверку|url=https://meduza.io/news/2021/01/23/ria-novosti-soobschilo-o-39-silovikah-postradavshih-na-aktsii-v-moskve-sk-nachal-proverku|website=Meduza.io}} Russian rapper Noize MC, rapper Vladi from the group Kasta, director Vasily Sigarev, writer Dmitry Bykov and others attended the protest in Pushkinskaya Square.{{cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2021-01-23/na_akcii_v_podderzhku_navalnogo_prishli_artisty_i_muzykanty|title=Максим Виторган пожаловался, что его детей выгнали из аптеки "под ОМОН"|website=znak.com|date=23 January 2021|access-date=24 January 2021|archive-date=29 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129145739/https://www.znak.com/2021-01-23/na_akcii_v_podderzhku_navalnogo_prishli_artisty_i_muzykanty|url-status=dead}}

File:Police forces during Anti-Putin protests. Saint Petersburg, 23 January 2021.jpg, St. Petersburg]]

File:Protests against the arrest of opposition politician Alexei Navalny. Saint Petersburg, 23 January 2021.jpg, St. Petersburg]]

According to Kommersant, about 5,000 protesters gathered in St. Petersburg. According to MBKh Media, around 10,000 people took part in the protest. Protesters gathered at Senate Square and moved towards Nevsky Prospekt and the Kazan Cathedral, then the Field of Mars, where police began to disperse the protesters.{{cite web|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4660994#id2004826|title=В Санкт-Петербурге начались массовые задержания|website=Kommersant|date=23 January 2021}} A video of a riot policeman kicking a woman in the stomach was circulated online. The woman was later reportedly taken to intensive care. The police apologized for the incident and it was reported that the Ministry of Internal Affairs opened a probe.{{cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2021-01-24/mash_policiya_izvinilas_pered_peterburzhenkoy_kotoruyu_silovik_pnul_v_zhivot|title=Пострадавшая находится в реанимации|website=znak.com|date=24 January 2021|access-date=24 January 2021|archive-date=24 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124113655/https://www.znak.com/2021-01-24/mash_policiya_izvinilas_pered_peterburzhenkoy_kotoruyu_silovik_pnul_v_zhivot|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://zona.media/news/2021/01/24/yudina|title=МВД начало проверку избиения петербурженки, которую полицейский пнул ногой в живот на митинге|website=zona.media|date=24 January 2021}} According to OVD-Info, over 500 people in St. Petersburg were detained.

Estimates of the number of protesters in Perm varied between 3,000 and 10,000. According to MBKh Media, around 2,500 people attended the protest in Ufa, Bashkortostan, around 5,000 people attended the protest in Chelyabinsk, around 3,000 people attended the protest in Samara and around 3,000 people attended the protest in Arkhangelsk. In Kazan, around 3,000–4,000 people were estimated to have gathered at the protest which started on Bauman Street.{{cite web|url=https://kazan.aif.ru/society/nesankcionirovannaya_akciya_v_kazani_23_yanvarya_2021_goda_kak_proshlo_shestvie|title=Несанкционированная акция в Казани 23 января 2021 года: как прошло шествие|website=kazan.aif.ru|date=23 January 2021}} In Kaliningrad, up to 3,000 people were estimated to have taken part in the protest, which moved towards Victory Square.{{cite web|url=https://www.newkaliningrad.ru/news/community/23906812-strashno-reportazh-s-protestnoy-aktsii-v-podderzhku-navalnogo-v-kaliningrade.html|title="Страшно?": репортаж с протестной акции в поддержку Навального в Калининграде|website=newkaliningrad.ru|date=23 January 2021}} In Krasnodar, around 5,000–7,000 people were estimated to have taken part in the protest, with over 50 people detained according to OVD-Info.{{cite web|url=https://www.yuga.ru/news/455483-akciya-storonnikov-navalnogo-23-yanvarya-v-krasnodare-onlajn-translyaciya/|title=Акция сторонников Навального 23 января в Краснодаре. Онлайн-трансляция|website=yuga.ru|date=23 January 2021}}

In Siberia, around 4,000 protesters gathered in Novosibirsk according to Tayga.info. Thousands walked from the city's House of Officers to Lenin Square in the city center. Police broke up the protest using force and blocked the main street. According to OVD-Info, around 100 people in the city were detained.{{cite web|date=23 January 2021|title=Акции в поддержку Навального. Онлайн|url=https://tayga.info/163795|website=tayga.info}}{{cite web|url=https://tayga.info/163832|title=Новосибирское шествие в поддержку Навального, полиция и хороводы. Видео Тайги.инфо|website=tayga.info|date=24 January 2021}} In Irkutsk, several thousand people took part in the protest.{{cite web|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4660935|title=В Иркутске на акцию в поддержку Навального вышло несколько тысяч человек|website=Kommersant|date=23 January 2021}}

Estimates of the number of protesters in Yekaterinburg varied between 3,000 and 10,000. The regional authorities gave an estimate of 3,000 while the local headquarters of Navalny's team gave an estimate of 10,000 participants. According to Znak, around 5,000 people attended. The former mayor of the city and opposition politician Yevgeny Roizman and City Duma deputy Konstantin Kiselev attended the protests. Riot police began breaking up the protest and clashes between police and protesters broke out, with officers hit with snowballs.{{cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2021-01-23/kak_v_ekaterinburge_proshla_akciya_v_podderzhku_navalnogo_zakonchivshayasya_razgonom|title=Яркое шествие и ледовое побоище|website=znak.com|date=23 January 2021|access-date=24 January 2021|archive-date=24 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124212924/https://www.znak.com/2021-01-23/kak_v_ekaterinburge_proshla_akciya_v_podderzhku_navalnogo_zakonchivshayasya_razgonom|url-status=dead}}

In the Russian Far East, up to 3,000 protesters gathered in Vladivostok, according to Novaya Gazeta. Russian YouTuber Yury Dud attended the protest in the city, however told journalists that he came there for "musical, cultural and friendly affairs". Protesters moved towards the central square before being dispersed.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/600bc2f29a7947365eec2369|title=На Дальнем Востоке задержали более 100 человек на акциях Навального|website=rbc.ru|date=23 January 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sibreal.org/a/31064689.html|title=Юрий Дудь посетил акцию в поддержку Навального во Владивостоке|website=sibreal.org|date=23 January 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newsvl.ru/vlad/2021/01/23/196380/|title=Более тысячи человек вышли на центральную площадь Владивостока — сотрудники ОМОН задержали несколько участников митинга (ФОТО; ВИДЕО)|website=newsvl.ru|date=23 January 2021|access-date=24 January 2021|archive-date=26 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126221209/https://www.newsvl.ru/vlad/2021/01/23/196380/|url-status=dead}} According to Novaya Gazeta, around 1,000 protesters gathered in Khabarovsk by Lenin Square in support of both Navalny and the arrested former governor Sergey Furgal before police dispersed the crowd and started detaining participants.{{cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/russia/746493|title=В Хабаровске прошла акция в поддержу Навального и Фургала|website=Interfax|date=23 January 2021}} In Yakutsk, where temperatures reached −50 °C, several hundred protesters gathered in the city's main square.{{cite web|url=https://mbk-news.appspot.com/suzhet/vyshla-za-navalnogo/|title=Как Россия вышла за Навального. Предварительные итоги акций протеста 23 января|website=MBKh Media|date=23 January 2021}} According to OVD-Info, over 60 people were detained in Khabarovsk, over 30 people were detained in Vladivostok and 30 people were detained in Yakutsk.

In some Russian cities, there were internet and mobile phone network outages. Communication issues were reported in cities including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnodar, Tyumen, Chelyabinsk, Yekaterinburg, Voronezh, Rostov-on-Don, and Saratov. Twitter users in Russia also reported problems accessing the network.{{cite web|date=23 January 2021|title=Russia: Police detain hundreds at pro-Navalny nationwide protests|url=https://www.dw.com/en/russia-police-detain-hundreds-at-pro-navalny-nationwide-protests/a-56321592|website=dw.com}}

4,002 people across the country were detained that day with over 1,500 of them in Moscow, according to OVD-Info.

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¹ Internationally recognised as part of Ukraine, see political status of Crimea and annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation for details.

Leonid Volkov, co-founder of Russia of the Future party, said that Navalny's team plans to organize more protests on 31 January, and then, on every subsequent Saturday or Sunday until their demands are met (somewhat similar to what is happening in Belarus since August 2020).{{Cite web|last=Welle (www.dw.com)|first=Deutsche|title=Глава штабов Навального подтвердил намерение провести акции 31 января|url=https://www.dw.com/ru/glava-shtabov-navalnogo-podtverdil-namerenie-provesti-akcii-31-janvarja/a-56336029|access-date=2021-01-26|website=dw.com|language=ru}}{{cite web|date=23 January 2021|title=Леонид Волков анонсировал новые акции протеста через неделю|url=https://meduza.io/news/2021/01/23/leonid-volkov-anonsiroval-novye-aktsii-protesta-cherez-nedelyu|website=Meduza.io}}{{cite web|date=26 January 2021|title=Team Navalny announces location of this weekend's protest in Moscow|url=https://meduza.io/en/news/2021/01/26/team-navalny-announces-location-of-this-weekend-s-protest-in-moscow|website=Meduza.io|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127063303/https://meduza.io/en/news/2021/01/26/team-navalny-announces-location-of-this-weekend-s-protest-in-moscow|archive-date=27 January 2021|access-date=27 January 2021|url-status=live}} Volkov also said that the next protests would be held outside the headquarters of the FSB at Lubyanka Square, as well as at Staraya Square, where the offices of the presidential administration are located. He said the organizers had decided to gather protesters outside the FSB building because they are the "poisoners" and the offices of the presidential administration because they "make the decisions about whether to jail or release Navalny".{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/01/26/navalnys-team-plans-weekend-protests-outside-fsb-a72738|title=Navalny's Team Plans Weekend Protests Outside FSB|website=The Moscow Times|date=27 January 2021}}

By 25 January, courts of general jurisdiction in Moscow received 448 cases of administrative offenses; 441 of which were under Article 20.2 (violating protest rules) of the Administrative Code and 7 under Part 1 of Article 19.3 (failure to follow a lawful order or demand of a police officer, serviceman or official).{{cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2021-01-25/po_itogam_mitinga_v_podderzhku_navalnogo_v_moskve_v_sudy_postupilo_448_del|title=По итогам митинга в поддержку Навального в Москве в суды поступило 448 дел|website=Znak.com|date=25 January 2021|access-date=29 January 2021|archive-date=26 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126114540/https://www.znak.com/2021-01-25/po_itogam_mitinga_v_podderzhku_navalnogo_v_moskve_v_sudy_postupilo_448_del|url-status=dead}}

A Russian TikToker and his friends were detained for allegedly vandalizing an FSB car in Moscow during the protests. A widely circulated video showed protesters attacking the car, with the driver reportedly being hospitalized with a serious eye injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/01/27/russian-tiktokers-detained-for-attacking-fsb-car-at-navalny-protests-a72745|title=Russian TikTokers Detained for Attacking FSB Car at Navalny Protests|website=The Moscow Times|date=26 January 2021}} On 26 January, it was reported that 20 criminal cases were opened by the Investigative Committee following the protests, with the majority of them under violence against authorities.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/politics/26/01/2021/60104b169a794711c5bb41cd|title=Следователи доложили Бастрыкину о 20 уголовных делах по акциям 23 января|website=rbc.ru|date=26 January 2021}} On 28 January, the Investigative Committee also opened a criminal case against Volkov under "persuading minors to commit unlawful acts".{{cite web|url=https://novayagazeta.ru/news/2021/01/28/167455-protiv-leonida-volkova-vozbudili-ugolovnoe-delo-o-prizyvah-podrostkov-k-uchastiyu-v-protestnyh-aktsiyah|title=Против Леонида Волкова возбудили уголовное дело из-за "призывов" к подросткам участвовать в протестных акциях|website=Novaya Gazeta|date=28 January 2021|access-date=29 January 2021|archive-date=28 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128081611/https://novayagazeta.ru/news/2021/01/28/167455-protiv-leonida-volkova-vozbudili-ugolovnoe-delo-o-prizyvah-podrostkov-k-uchastiyu-v-protestnyh-aktsiyah|url-status=dead}}

A woman who was kicked by a riot policeman during the protest in a widely circulated video was hospitalized again after her condition worsened. After she was released from hospital the day after the protest, she said she accepted the apology from the officer, who visited her in hospital, however she later said she did so because she wanted to be left alone. The St. Petersburg prosecutor's office said it was investigating the incident, while Vyacheslav Volodin, the Chairman of the State Duma, defended the police officer, saying he was "being prevented from performing his duties".{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/01/27/protester-kicked-by-russian-police-re-hospitalized-a72753|title=Protester Kicked by Russian Police Re-Hospitalized|website=The Moscow Times|date=27 January 2021}}

Russian police days later searched Navalny's apartment according to Navalny's team, ahead of another nationwide protest on 31 January. Navalny's brother Oleg was present in the apartment, who was taken away by the police following the search.{{Cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2021/01/27/olega-navalnogo-posle-obyska-zabrali-politseyskie|access-date=2021-01-27|website=meduza.io|title=Олега Навального после обыска забрали полицейские|language=ru}} The FBK also said that officers searched its headquarters and the "Navalny Live" studio, as well as the apartment of Kira Yarmysh and Navalny's doctor Anastasia Vasilyeva. The head of the FBK, Ivan Zhdanov, said that the Ministry of Internal Affairs carried out the searches within the framework of Article 236 of the Criminal Code of Russia related to violations of sanitary and epidemiological standards.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/01/27/russian-police-search-navalnys-apartment-hq-aides-a72735|title=Russian Police Search Navalny's Apartment, HQ – Aides|website=The Moscow Times|date=27 January 2021}}

Navalny's coordinator in Nizhny Novgorod, Roman Tregubov, was arrested on 28 January and the next day was sentenced to five days in jail. On 30 January, the day before protests would begin again, a video of him was published where he announced his resignation and urged people not to go to the protests. His lawyer stated that he received threats before the video was recorded and also shared a photo of a letter written by him, addressed to the local district attorney and the head of the city's regional court, where he said that "statements, testimonies, or appeals" coming from him without the presence of his lawyer should be considered to be "obtained under torture, pressure, or some other outside compulsion". Other videos by the Investigative Committee were also published earlier featuring apologies by detained protesters who allegedly attacked law enforcement.{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2021/01/30/i-ask-you-not-to-believe|title='I ask you not to believe' After reporting threats to his lawyer, Navalny's jailed campaign coordinator in Nizhny Novgorod appears in a strange confession video|website=Meduza.io/en|date=31 January 2021}}

File:Police and OMON on Rusakovskaya street.jpg

File:Police marching.jpg, Moscow]]

File:Demonstration in Nizhny Novgorod in support of Alexei Navalny 31.01.2021 03.jpg, Nizhny Novgorod]]

In Moscow, before protests began, authorities closed the lobbies of several metro stations in the city center (including Aleksandrovsky Sad, Okhotny Ryad, Teatralnaya, Ploshchad Revolyutsii, Kuznetsky Most, Lubyanka and Kitay-gorod) and restricted movement in parts of the city center, including the closure of restaurants and shops.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-55876033|title=Russia braces for latest Navalny protests|website=BBC News|date=31 January 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/live/2021/01/31/aktsii-za-navalnogo-31-yanvarya|title=Акции за Навального 31 января|website=Meduza|date=31 January 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/meriya_moskvy_predupredila_o_zakrytii_centralnyh_stanciy_metro|title=Мэрия Москвы предупредила о закрытии центральных станций метро|website=znak.com|date=31 January 2021|access-date=31 January 2021|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511002621/https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/meriya_moskvy_predupredila_o_zakrytii_centralnyh_stanciy_metro|url-status=dead}} The FSB building in Lubyanka Square was also cordoned off.{{cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/v_moskve_pered_akciey_v_podderzhku_navalnogo_ocepili_zdanie_fsb_na_lubyanke|title=В Москве перед акцией в поддержку Навального оцепили здание ФСБ на Лубянке|website=znak.com|date=31 January 2021|access-date=31 January 2021|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511002626/https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/v_moskve_pered_akciey_v_podderzhku_navalnogo_ocepili_zdanie_fsb_na_lubyanke|url-status=dead}} Protest organizers changed the start of the rally to the Sukharevskaya and Krasnye Vorota metro stations.{{cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/v_moskve_perenesli_mesto_nachala_shestviya_storonnikov_navalnogo|title=В Москве перенесли место начала шествия сторонников Навального|website=znak.com|date=31 January 2021|access-date=31 January 2021|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511004153/https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/v_moskve_perenesli_mesto_nachala_shestviya_storonnikov_navalnogo|url-status=dead}} Police began detaining protesters by the stations, and the entrances and exits to the stations were then closed at the request of the police.{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2021/01/31/politsiya-nachala-massovye-zaderzhaniya-u-metro-krasnye-vorota|title=Полиция начала массовые задержания у метро "Красные ворота" в Москве|website=Meduza.io|date=31 January 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2021/01/31/v-moskve-zakryli-stantsii-metro-krasnye-vorota-i-suharevskaya|title=В Москве закрыли станции метро "Красные ворота" и "Сухаревская"|website=Meduza.io|date=31 January 2021}} The location was then changed to Komsomolskaya Square.{{cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/volkov_snova_smenil_mesto_mitinga_v_moskve_teper_on_zovet_vseh_na_komsomolskuyu_plochad|title=Волков снова сменил место митинга в Москве — теперь он зовет всех на Комсомольскую площадь|website=znak.com|date=31 January 2021|access-date=31 January 2021|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511004221/https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/volkov_snova_smenil_mesto_mitinga_v_moskve_teper_on_zovet_vseh_na_komsomolskuyu_plochad|url-status=dead}} The entrance and exit to the Krasnoselskaya and Sokolniki stations were then closed. Protesters then moved towards Matrosskaya Tishina, where Navalny was being held.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/01/31/as-its-happening-russians-stage-fresh-navalny-protests-a72784|title=As It's Happening: Russians Stage Fresh Navalny Protests|website=The Moscow Times|date=31 January 2021}} Alexei Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, was detained again after attending the protest in Sokolniki;{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2021/01/31/v-moskve-zaderzhali-yuliyu-navalnuyu|title=В Москве задержали Юлию Навальную|website=Meduza|date=31 January 2021}} she was released several hours later and a protocol on violation of the protest law was drawn up against her.{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2021/01/31/yuliya-navalnuyu-otpustili-iz-otdela-politsii-scherbinki|title=Юлию Навальную отпустили из отдела полиции Щербинки|website=Meduza.io|date=31 January 2021}} After police began mass arrests and dispersed protesters outside Matrosskaya Tishina, protesters returned to Komsomolskaya Square.{{cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/u_matrosskoy_tishiny_gde_derzhat_navalnogo_nachalis_massovye_zaderzhaniya|title=У "Матросской тишины", где держат Навального, начались массовые задержания|website=znak.com|date=31 January 2021|access-date=31 January 2021|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511002807/https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/u_matrosskoy_tishiny_gde_derzhat_navalnogo_nachalis_massovye_zaderzhaniya|url-status=dead}} Police then blocked off Olkhovskaya Street, trapping protesters. Opposition politician Ilya Yashin was detained.

In St. Petersburg, protest organizers moved the rally to Pionerskaya Square after authorities closed off Nevsky Prospekt.{{cite web|url=https://theins.ru/obshestvo/238982|title=Митинги 31 января. Онлайн|website=theins.ru|date=31 January 2021}} Protesters gathered near the Bryantsev Youth Theatre. The rapper Oxxxymiron attended the city's protest on his birthday and was later detained by police;{{cite web|url=https://theins.ru/news/238989|title=Рэпера Оксимирона задержали на акции протеста в Петербурге|website=theins.ru|date=31 January 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/reper_oxxxymiron_zaderzhan_na_akcii_v_podderzhku_navalnogo_v_moskve|title=Рэпер Oxxxymiron задержан на акции в поддержку Навального в Москве|website=znak.com|date=31 January 2021|access-date=31 January 2021|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511002901/https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/reper_oxxxymiron_zaderzhan_na_akcii_v_podderzhku_navalnogo_v_moskve|url-status=dead}} he was later released.{{cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/oxxxymiron_otpuchen_iz_policii_posle_zaderzhaniya_na_mitinge_v_sankt_peterburge|title=Oxxxymiron отпущен из полиции после задержания на митинге в Санкт-Петербурге|website=znak.com|date=31 January 2021|access-date=31 January 2021|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511002942/https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/oxxxymiron_otpuchen_iz_policii_posle_zaderzhaniya_na_mitinge_v_sankt_peterburge|url-status=dead}} Protesters then moved to Sennaya Square where clashes between police and protesters broke out, and police used tear gas after protesters tried to rescue detainees.{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2021/01/31/fontanka-v-sankt-peterburge-dlya-razgona-protestuyuschih-politsiya-primenila-elektroshokery-i-slezotochivyy-gaz|title="Фонтанка": в Санкт-Петербурге для разгона протестующих полиция применила слезоточивый газ|website=Meduza.io|date=31 January 2021}} Police also reportedly used stun guns and a video of a police officer taking out his pistol and pointing it was published.{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2021/01/31/v-tsentre-sankt-peterburga-politseyskiy-napravil-tabelnyy-pistolet-na-protestuyuschih|title=В центре Санкт-Петербурга полицейский направил табельный пистолет на протестующих|website=Meduza.io|date=31 January 2021}} After the dispersal of the protesters on Pionerskaya Square, protesters went along Zagorodny Prospekt towards Moskovsky Prospekt.{{cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/v_peterburge_obyavleno_ob_okonchanii_mitinga_shestviya_no_lyudey_prodolzhayut_zaderzhivat|title=В Петербурге объявлено об окончании митинга-шествия, но людей продолжают задерживать|website=znak.com|date=31 January 2021|access-date=31 January 2021|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511004234/https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/v_peterburge_obyavleno_ob_okonchanii_mitinga_shestviya_no_lyudey_prodolzhayut_zaderzhivat|url-status=dead}} Protesters then moved to outside the building of the city's legislative assembly, where they clashed with police and were forcibly dispersed. Protesters then moved back near the Bryantsev Youth Theatre where organizers announced the end of the rally and protesters were finally dispersed by police.

In Nizhny Novgorod, the National Guard and police blocked Minin and Pozharsky Square.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-31|title=Площадь Минина и Пожарского частично перекрыта из-за митингов|url=https://www.nn.ru/text/gorod/2021/01/31/69739838/|access-date=2021-01-31|website=nn.ru|language=ru}} The Gorkovskaya metro station was also closed.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-31|title=В Нижнем Новгороде 31 января станция метро "Горьковская" будет закрыта до 16:00|url=https://vestinn.ru/news/society/168691/|access-date=2021-01-31|website=ГТРК «Нижний Новгород»|language=ru}} Detentions of protesters began in the afternoon on Bolshaya Pokrovskaya Street, near the former Oktyabr cinema.{{Cite web|title=В нижегородских соцсетях появились видео задержания на акции протеста 31 января {{!}} Открытый Нижний|url=https://opennov.ru/news/society/2021-01-31/42247|access-date=2021-01-31|website=opennov.ru}}{{YouTube|Nt-mmXQ7xnk|Нижний Новгород {{!}} Навальный {{!}} За свободу! {{!}} 31.01.2021 {{!}} Камера №1}} The journalist Alexander Pichugin was also detained there.{{Cite web|title=В Нижнем Новгороде на акции протеста задержан журналист Александр Пичугин {{!}} Открытый Нижний|url=https://opennov.ru/news/society/2021-01-31/42248|access-date=2021-01-31|website=opennov.ru}} The protesters left the street and began to gather in Minin and Pozharsky Square near the monument to Kuzma Minin. OMON and police pushed the protesters out of the square.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-31|title=Протестующих вытеснили с площади Минина и Пожарского|url=https://www.vgoroden.ru/novosti/protestuyushhiy-vytesnili-s-ploshhadi-minina-i-pozharskogo-id331488|access-date=2021-01-31|website=В городе N|language=ru}}

In Yekaterinburg, most metro stations were closed (from Prospekt Kosmonavtov to Ploshchad 1905 Goda).{{cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/v_ekaterinburge_zakryli_bolshuyu_chast_stanciy_metro|title=В Екатеринбурге закрыли большую часть станций метро|website=znak.com|date=31 January 2021|access-date=31 January 2021|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511002945/https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/v_ekaterinburge_zakryli_bolshuyu_chast_stanciy_metro|url-status=dead}} The former mayor of the city, Yevgeny Roizman, participated in the city's protest again despite a warning from the prosecutor's office.{{cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/evgeniy_royzman_vyshel_na_shestvie_v_ekaterinburge_nesmotrya_na_preduprezhdenie_prokuratury|title=Евгений Ройзман вышел на шествие в Екатеринбурге, несмотря на предупреждение прокуратуры|website=znak.com|date=31 January 2021|access-date=31 January 2021|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511004254/https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/evgeniy_royzman_vyshel_na_shestvie_v_ekaterinburge_nesmotrya_na_preduprezhdenie_prokuratury|url-status=dead}} Around 7,000 protesters gathered in the city according to media estimates.{{cite web|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4670536|title=Протестные акции в поддержку Алексея Навального|website=Kommersant|date=31 January 2021}}

According to Tayga.info, around 6,000 protesters gathered in Novosibirsk, more than in the previous protest.{{cite web|url=https://tayga.info/164057|title=Акции в поддержку Алексея Навального. Онлайн|website=tayga.info|date=31 January 2021}}

The state communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, warned media outlets about heavy fines for "spreading fakes concerning unauthorized rallies", including publishing "inflated figures on the number of participants in illegal rallies".{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2021/01/31/roskomnadzor-prigrozil-millionnymi-shtrafami-i-blokirovkami-za-zavyshennye-otsenki-chislennosti-protestuyuschih|title=Роскомнадзор пригрозил миллионными штрафами и блокировками за "завышенные" оценки численности протестующих|website=Meduza.io|date=31 January 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/roskomnadzor_obechal_krupnye_shtrafy_za_zavyshenie_chislennosti_uchastnikov_protestnyh_mitingov|title=Роскомнадзор обещал крупные штрафы за завышение численности участников протестных митингов|website=znak.com|date=31 January 2021|access-date=31 January 2021|archive-date=11 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511003024/https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/roskomnadzor_obechal_krupnye_shtrafy_za_zavyshenie_chislennosti_uchastnikov_protestnyh_mitingov|url-status=dead}}

According to OVD-Info, 5,611 people were detained, with over 1,800 of them in Moscow and over 1,300 of them in St. Petersburg.{{cite web|url=https://ovdinfo.org/news/2021/01/31/zaderzhaniya-na-akciyah-v-podderzhku-alekseya-navalnogo-31-yanvarya-2021-goda-onlayn|title=Задержания на акциях в поддержку Алексея Навального 31 января 2021 года. Онлайн|website=ovdinfo.org|date=31 January 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://ovdinfo.org/news/2021/01/31/spisok-zaderzhannyh-na-akcii-v-podderzhku-alekseya-navalnogo-31-yanvarya-2021-goda|title=Список задержанных на акции в поддержку Алексея Навального 31 января 2021 года|website=ovdinfo.org|date=31 January 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/feature/2021/01/31/skolko-lyudey-zaderzhali-na-aktsiyah-v-podderzhku-navalnogo-v-raznyh-gorodah-rossii|title=Число задержанных на акциях 31 января в поддержку Навального по городам — карта "Медузы" и "ОВД Инфо"|website=Meduza.io|date=31 January 2021}} Also according to OVD-Info, at least 82 journalists were detained.{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/en/live/2021/01/31/navalny-s-nationwide-protests-round-ii|title=Navalny's nationwide protests: Round II|website=Meduza.io|date=31 January 2021}} Several demonstrators were hospitalized due to injuries such as bone fracture. A deaf-mute Saint Petersburg man was fined for "chanting slogans".[https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/601ef2f39a794774ad3e9291 Омбудсмен пообещал разобраться со штрафом немому за участие в митинге]

Supporters of Navalny gathered outside the Moscow City Court, where the court was considering a request from the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) to replace Navalny's suspended sentence with a jail sentence. Navalny was charged with violating a suspended sentence he received in 2014 while he was in Germany, a sentence that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in 2017 previously ruled as "arbitrary and unreasonable".{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/02/02/as-its-happening-navalny-in-court-a72803|title=As It's Happening: Navalny in Court|website=The Moscow Times|date=2 February 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/live/2021/02/02/zamenyat-li-navalnomu-uslovnyy-srok-na-realnyy-den-suda|title=Заменят ли Навальному условный срок на реальный? День суда У здания Мосгорсуда задержаны более 200 человек. Онлайн|website=Meduza.io|date=2 February 2021}} According to OVD-Info, 354 people were detained at the time, including four in Izhevsk.{{cite web|url=https://ovdinfo.org/news/2021/02/02/zaderzhaniya-v-den-suda-po-delu-alekseya-navalnogo-2-fevralya-2021-goda-onlayn|title=Задержания в день суда по делу Алексея Навального 2 февраля 2021 года. Онлайн|website=ovdinfo.org|date=2 February 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/02/02/as-its-happening-navalny-in-court-a72803|title=As It's Happening: Navalny Sentenced to 2 Years and 8 Months in Penal Colony|website=The Moscow Times|date=2 February 2021}}

The court ruled that Navalny's three-and-a-half-year suspended sentence was to be replaced with a prison sentence, minus the amount of time he spent under house arrest, meaning he would spend over two and a half years in a penal colony.{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2021/02/02/sud-otpravil-alekseya-navalnogo-v-koloniyu|title=Суд отправил Алексея Навального в колонию|website=Meduza.io|date=2 February 2021}}

Following the verdict, Navalny's team called for immediate protests near the Kremlin at Manezhnaya Square in Moscow. Large numbers of riot police were deployed to the square and other areas in central Moscow. Police then cordoned off Manezhnaya Square and Pushkinskaya Square. Red Square was also closed earlier. The Okhotny Ryad, Teatralnaya and Ploshchad Revolyutsii metro stations were then also closed. Around a thousand protesters gathered at Tverskaya Street and two thousand were estimated to have marched down Petrovskiy Pereulok. The main group of protesters then headed to Pushkin Square. Police dispersed the protesters with force and there were instances of police violence.{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/live/2021/02/02/vecher-posle-prigovora-alekseyu-navalnomu-politsiya-zaderzhivaet-lyudey-na-manezhnoy-ploschadi|title=Вечер после приговора Алексею Навальному. Полиция задерживает людей на Манежной площади|date=2 February 2021|website=Meduza}}

In St. Petersburg, the Gostiny Dvor and Nevsky Prospekt metro stations were closed. The Mayakovskaya and Ploshchad Vosstaniya metro stations were also later closed.

According to OVD-Info, 1,463 people in total were detained, including over 1,180 in Moscow and 280 in St. Petersburg.{{cite web|url=https://ovdinfo.org/news/2021/02/02/spisok-zaderzhannyh-v-svyazi-s-sudom-nad-alekseem-navalnym-2-fevralya-2021-goda|title=Список задержанных в связи с судом над Алексеем Навальным 2 февраля 2021 года|website=ovdinfo.org|date=2 February 2021}}

{{Navalny sidebar}}

On 4 February, Leonid Volkov, Navalny's chief of staff, announced that protests would be suspended until at least spring to focus on the parliamentary elections in autumn. He said: "If we go out every week, thousands more will be detained, and hundreds more beaten... The work of the regional headquarters will be paralyzed and it will be impossible to work on elections. This is not what Alexei wants from us. Alexei has asked us to concentrate on this autumn". He also said that his team would work on getting Navalny out of prison using "foreign policy methods" including working to ensure that foreign leaders put pressure on Putin and his government to release Navalny.

On 6 February, the Russian government expelled three diplomats, each from Germany, Poland and Sweden for allegedly participating in the protests on 23 January, leading to protest from the United States and EU leaders.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/02/05/russia-expels-swedish-polish-german-diplomats-over-navalny-protests-foreign-ministry-a72850|title=Russia Expels European Diplomats Over Navalny Protests – Foreign Ministry|website=The Moscow Times|date=6 February 2021}} On 8 February, the governments of Germany, Poland, and Sweden each expelled a Russian diplomat in retaliation.{{cite web |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/02/08/germany-poland-sweden-to-expel-russian-diplomats-in-tit-for-tat-move-a72868 |title=Germany, Poland, Sweden to Expel Russian Diplomats in Tit-for-Tat Move |website=The Moscow Times |date=8 February 2021 }}

On 8 February, a Saratov lawmaker from the Communist Party, Nikolai Bondarenko, was detained on charges of violating protest rules. His colleagues said he attended the protests on 31 January as an observer. Olga Alimova, the Saratov regional branch leader of the Communist Party, linked Bondarenko's detention with his stated plans to run for the State Duma elections later in the year, where he would compete with State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin and is considered a strong challenger. The leader of the Communist Party, Gennady Zyuganov, said he would defend him in court and fight for his release.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/02/08/russian-communist-lawmaker-detained-for-observing-navalny-protests-a72859|title=Russian Communist Lawmaker Detained for 'Observing' Navalny Protests|website=The Moscow Times|date=8 February 2021}}

On 9 February, Volkov announced new courtyard protests on 14 February in what he said was a "completely different format", shifting from street protests to avoid direct confrontation with police. Volkov invited supporters to gather in courtyards and hold up their phones with the flashlight on during the evening. Volkov stated: "Hundreds of thousands of people took to the Russian streets on 23 January and 31 January. The response was an unprecedented wave of violence and repression... We need to find a way to overcome it and hold an event that riot police could not prevent and everyone could attend". He also addressed his earlier remarks on protests being suspended, saying: "My poorly worded phrase was interpreted by everyone that the protests are cancelled. That was quite a difficult moment".{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/02/09/navalny-allies-announce-new-courtyard-protests-a72873|title=Navalny Allies Announce New Courtyard Protests|website=The Moscow Times|date=9 February 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2021/02/09/soratniki-navalnogo-anonsirovali-protestnuyu-aktsiyu-14-fevralya|title=Соратники Навального анонсировали протестную акцию 14 февраля. Ее участникам предлагают выйти на улицу с фонариками|website=Meduza.io|date=9 February 2021}} Dmitry Peskov, upon being questioned whether or not such actions would be considered illegal, was quoted saying: "We won't be playing cat and mouse with them".{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/en/news/2021/02/09/navalny-s-associates-announce-protests-planned-for-february-14|title=Navalny's associates announce protests planned for February 14|website=Meduza.io|date=9 February 2021}}

On 11 February, Russian federal prosecutors warned against participation and incitement of unauthorized mass demonstrations, threatening felony charges against Internet users who advocated "riots".{{Cite news|title=Russian law enforcement threatens more felony prosecutions ahead of pro-Navalny flashmobs planned for Sunday|url=https://meduza.io/en/news/2021/02/11/russian-law-enforcement-threatens-more-felony-prosecutions-ahead-of-pro-navalny-flashmobs-planned-for-sunday|date=11 February 2021|work=Meduza}} On the same day, the state news agencies TASS and RIA Novosti reported, using the same quotes and quoting sources in law enforcement, that terrorist attacks were being prepared for the upcoming rallies with "the most experienced and trusted militants" being trained to commit crimes during the street actions.{{Cite news|title=Российские государственные агентства сообщили о подготовке терактов на массовых уличных акциях cообщают "Открытые медиа"|url=https://openmedia.io/news/n1/rossijskie-gosudarstvennye-agentstva-soobshhili-o-podgotovke-teraktov-na-akciyax-protesta/|last=Chumakov|first=Nikolay|date=11 February 2021|work=Открытые медиа|language=ru}}

A number of actions against repression were held in Russia on Valentine's Day. In the action called "Love is stronger than fear" organized by Navalny's team, courtyard protests were held across Russia during the evening.{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/live/2021/02/14/aktsii-14-fevralya-v-rossii-ot-fonarikov-do-fleshmoba-v-podderzhku-veteranov|title=14 февраля в России. Фонарики и флэшмобы в поддержку ветеранов|website=Meduza|date=14 February 2021}} A medic who worked at a coronavirus hospital in Moscow posted a widely-shared photo of him taking part in the flashlight protest, however said that he was fired the next day, saying "this is what they do to all dissenters in Russia".{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/02/15/russian-covid-medic-says-fired-over-pro-navalny-flashlight-photo-a72940|title=Russian Covid Medic Says Fired Over Pro-Navalny Flashlight Photo|website=The Moscow Times|date=15 February 2021}}

In Moscow, hundreds of women formed a "chain of solidarity" along Arbat Street to support Navalny's wife and female victims of repression, taking inspiration from the women-led protests held in Belarus. Despite not being authorized, there was no police presence.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/02/14/russian-women-form-human-chain-following-navalny-protest-crackdown-a72931|title=Russian Women Form Human Chain Following Navalny Protest Crackdown|website=The Moscow Times|date=14 February 2021}} A similar human chain took place in St. Petersburg at Voskresenskaya Naberezhnaya.{{cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/society/14/02/2021/60290aae9a79475a90db5c81|title=В Москве и Петербурге активисты выстроились в цепи солидарности|website=rbc.ru|date=14 February 2021}}

An authorized rally against repression was held in Kazan at Millennium Square, organized by representatives of Yabloko, PARNAS, and Left Front. Authorities permitted up to 200 participants, citing coronavirus restrictions, however Kommersant reported that around 1,000 people attended the rally. Protesters demanded the release of political prisoners including Navalny.{{cite web|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4691962|title=В Казани проходит согласованный митинг против репрессий|website=Kommersant|date=14 February 2021}}

According to OVD-Info, 19 people in total were detained that day.{{cite web|url=https://ovdinfo.org/news/2021/02/11/akcii-protiv-politicheskih-repressiy-14-fevralya-onlayn|title=Акции против политических репрессий 14 февраля. Онлайн|website=OVD-Info|date=14 February 2021}}{{Cite news|date=14 February 2021|title=В России прошла акция "Любовь сильнее страха", без задержаний не обошлось|website=rosbalt.ru|url=https://www.rosbalt.ru/russia/2021/02/14/1887484.html}} Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that there were no mass arrests because the pro-Navalny actions were held without breaking the law.{{cite web|url=https://www.interfax.ru/russia/750990|title=В Кремле заявили об отсутствии нарушений на акциях 14 февраля|website=Interfax|date=15 February 2021}}

In March, Alexey Navalny's team launched a campaign for his release called "Freedom for Navalny!" where those who live in Russia may pledge to participate in an upcoming protest on the website of Navalny's team. Once the amount of pledges reach 500,000, Navalny's team will announce a date for the upcoming mass demonstration.{{Cite web|author=Deutsche Welle (www.dw.com)|title=Штаб Навального анонсировал большой митинг в поддержку политика|url=https://www.dw.com/ru/shtab-navalnogo-anonsiroval-bolshoj-miting-v-ego-podderzhku/a-56959894|access-date=2021-03-23|website=dw.com|language=ru}}{{Cite web|title=Соратники Навального запустили кампанию за его освобождение. Они хотят найти 500 тысяч человек, готовых выйти на митинг|url=https://meduza.io/news/2021/03/23/soratniki-navalnogo-zapustili-kampaniyu-za-ego-osvobozhdenie-oni-hotyat-nayti-500-tysyach-chelovek-gotovyh-vyyti-na-miting|access-date=2021-03-24|website=meduza.io}}

On 18 April, Navalny's team announced new protests nationwide for 21 April, saying that Navalny was being killed in prison and while the goal was to reach 500,000 pledges (with the number of pledges reaching over 450,000 that day), it was not possible to wait any longer.{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2021/04/18/storonniki-navalnogo-anonsirovali-miting-v-podderzhku-politika-ne-dozhidayas-sbora-polumilliona-uchastnikov|title="Прямо сейчас его убивают в колонии, и ждать больше нельзя". Сторонники Навального объявили митинг, не дожидаясь сбора полумиллиона участников|website=Meduza.io|date=18 April 2021}} The date coincided with Putin's Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly.

File:Protests on Tverskaya Street.jpg, Moscow]]

Prior to assigned start time of the nationwide protests, 19:00 Moscow time, many people had already begun protesting, with the largest demonstrations being in Irkutsk and Novosibirsk. 186 people were detained as of 17:00 Moscow time, with that number rising to 221 by 18:00.{{Cite web|url=https://meduza.io/live/2021/04/21/den-solidarnosti-s-alekseem-navalnym-onlayn-meduzy|title=День солидарности с Навальным. Как это было|access-date=2021-04-21|website=meduza.io}} Within that time, large-scale demonstrations had begun in Irkutsk, Novosibirsk, Perm, and Yekaterinburg, with protests beginning to flare up in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and police setting up barricades in many of the aforementioned cities.{{Cite web|title=Avtozak LIVE ❗️|url=https://t.me/avtozaklive/10603|access-date=2021-04-21|website=Telegram}} In Saint Petersburg, videos were recorded of protestors chanting "Putin is a killer".{{Citation|title="ПУТИН УБИЙЦА" - Скандирует Питер. Митинг в питере 21 апреля. Спб митинг 21 апреля. Протесты в спб.| date=21 April 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3k2X4V23JM|access-date=2021-04-23}}

Soon after the protests began, around 400 people across Russia were detained by the police. Around that time the number of protesters in Moscow and St. Petersburg had grown heavily, particularly in Tverskaya Street in Moscow. By that time Alexei Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, had joined the protesters in Moscow, followed by Alexei Navalny's brother, Oleg, some time later.{{Cite web|title=Znak.com|url=https://t.me/znakcom/39138|access-date=2021-04-21|website=Telegram}} Police gave a figure of 6,000 protesters in Manezhnaya Square, while independent observers and local media gave substantially higher estimates.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/04/21/supporters-protest-across-russia-for-release-of-ailing-navalny-a73693|title=Supporters Protest Across Russia for Release of Ailing Navalny|website=The Moscow Times|date=21 April 2021}}

In St. Petersburg, the police began mass detaining protesters in Sennaya Square around 20:29 MSK.{{Cite web|title=Фонтанка.ру|url=https://t.me/fontankaspb/12213|access-date=2021-04-21|website=Telegram}} By that time the MVD gave a figure of 4,500 protesters in St. Petersburg.{{Cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2021/04/21/politsiya-otsenila-kolichestvo-uchastnikov-mitinga-v-moskve-v-shest-tysyach-chelovek|title=Полиция оценила количество участников митинга в Москве в шесть тысяч человек|access-date=2021-04-21|website=meduza.io}} As the police mass detained protesters in Sennaya Square, the police managed to disperse the crowd, only for the crowd to relocate to Rubinstein Street.

According to OVD-Info, 1,985 people were detained, with 839 of them detained in St. Petersburg and 170 detained in Ufa.{{cite web|url=https://ovdinfo.org/news/2021/04/21/spiski-zaderzhannyh-v-svyazi-s-akciey-v-podderzhku-alekseya-navalnogo-21-aprelya|title=Списки задержанных в связи с акцией в поддержку Алексея Навального 21 апреля 2021 года|website=OVD-Info|date=21 April 2021}}

On 23 April, Alexei Navalny announced that he would end his 24-day hunger strike, following his examination conducted by civilian doctors not affiliated with the Corrective Colony in Pokrov who had warned that he could die if he continued his hunger strike. He also praised the protests and the support he received from around the world, while also noting solidarity hunger strikes conducted by some of Navalny's supporters. Navalny also noted that the process of ending the hunger strike would also take 24 days.{{Cite web|last=Litvinova|first=Daria|date=2021-04-23|title=Imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny to end his hunger strike|url=https://www.cp24.com/world/imprisoned-opposition-leader-alexei-navalny-to-end-his-hunger-strike-1.5400074?cache=yes%3FclipId%3D89950|access-date=2021-04-24|website=CP24}}{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/04/23/navalny-ends-prison-hunger-strike-a73723|title=Navalny Ends Prison Hunger Strike|website=The Moscow Times|date=23 April 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-56858865|title=Putin opponent Navalny ends hunger strike in Russian jail|website=BBC News|date=23 April 2021}}

On 27 April, two journalists from the independent news outlets Ekho Moskvy and TV Rain were detained by police in their homes after covering the protests on 21 April, with one being released and ordered to appear for questioning later.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/04/27/russian-journalists-detained-after-covering-pro-navalny-rallies-a73747|title=Russian Journalists Detained After Covering Pro-Navalny Rallies|website=The Moscow Times|date=27 April 2021}}

On 12 May, opposition politician and former mayor of Yekaterinburg, Yevgeny Roizman, was sentenced to nine days in jail for "organizing an unsanctioned event" on 31 January and 21 April through his Twitter account. The next day, the sentence was reduced to 24 hours after an appeal by his lawyers. Roizman was also ordered to 30 hours of compulsory labor.{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-roizman-navalny-sentence/31253418.html|title=Russian Court Cuts Jail Term Of Former Russian Lawmaker, Navalny Supporter To One Day|website=RFERL.org|date=13 May 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/05/12/russia-jails-former-opposition-mayor-for-navalny-protest-tweets-a73868|title=Russia Jails Former Opposition Mayor for Navalny Protest Tweets|website=The Moscow Times|date=13 May 2021}}

On 13 May, Volkov stated that future protests would not be staged in advance and would instead be "unprepared", citing a persecution of protest organizers and protesters.{{cite web|url=https://echo.msk.ru/news/2837276-echo.html|title=Леонид Волков объявил, что сторонники Навального не будут устраивать запланированные протестные акции в России|website=echo.msk.ru|date=13 May 2021}}

On 9 June, Navalny's political network, including his headquarters and the FBK, were designated as extremist organizations and liquidated by the Moscow City Court.{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/06/09/russia-blacklists-navalnys-political-and-activist-movements-as-extremist-a74159|title=Russia Blacklists Navalny's Political and Activist Movements as 'Extremist'|website=The Moscow Times|date=9 June 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/ru/mosgorsud-priznal-fbk-jekstremistskoj-organizaciej/a-57825179|title=Мосгорсуд признал ФБК экстремистской организацией|website=dw.com|date=9 June 2021}}

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused the United States of interfering in Russian domestic affairs. The U.S. embassy sent an alert warning American citizens about the location of protests in Moscow and U.S. officials also criticized the police crackdown.{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-accuses-united-states-interference-navalny-protests/31066416.html|title=Kremlin Accuses U.S. Of Interference After Statements Criticizing Harsh Crackdown On Navalny Protesters|website=rferl.org|date=24 January 2021}} Peskov also downplayed the scale of the protests, saying "few people came out" and that "many people vote for Putin".{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/news/2021/01/24/vyshlo-malo-lyudey-mnogo-lyudey-golosuyut-za-putina-dmitriy-peskov-o-protestnyh-aktsiyah-23-yanvarya|title="Вышло мало людей. Много людей голосуют за Путина". Дмитрий Песков — о протестных акциях 23 января|website=Meduza.io|date=24 January 2021}} The Russian Foreign Ministry also summoned the U.S. ambassador over the demonstration alert. It was reported that Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov informed U.S. Ambassador John Sullivan that Russia considered the alerts to be "direct interference in the internal affairs of our country".{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/01/25/russia-summons-us-envoy-over-protest-interference-a72717|title=Russia Summons U.S. Envoy Over Protest 'Interference'|website=The Moscow Times|date=25 January 2021}} After protests began on 31 January, the Foreign Ministry again accused the United States of meddling in Russian internal affairs.{{cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/mid_obvinil_ssha_vo_vmeshatelstva_v_dela_rf_na_primere_akciy_protestov|title=МИД обвинил США во вмешательстве в дела РФ на примере акций протестов|website=znak.com|date=31 January 2021|access-date=31 January 2021|archive-date=31 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131155144/https://www.znak.com/2021-01-31/mid_obvinil_ssha_vo_vmeshatelstva_v_dela_rf_na_primere_akciy_protestov|url-status=dead}}

President Vladimir Putin, after being asked about his thoughts on the protests during a videoconference with students on Students Day, said that "everyone has the right to express their point of view within the legal framework. Anything outside the law is not just counterproductive, but also dangerous".{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2021/01/25/this-isn-t-how-politics-is-done|title='This isn't how politics is done' Putin compares opposition protests in Russia to the storming of the U.S. Capitol|website=Meduza|date=25 January 2021}}

Navalny's chief of staff, Leonid Volkov, called the protests a "victory over fear" and a "real nationwide movement that unites a wide variety of people". He also said that "we are not dissidents" and that "we are fighting for the political majority".{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/feature/2021/01/25/my-vyrvalis-za-predely-vseh-shtampov-nashe-dvizhenie-vsenarodnoe|title="Мы вырвались за пределы всех штампов. Наше движение — всенародное"|website=Meduza|date=25 January 2021}}

According to a poll by the Levada Center carried out from 29 January to 2 February 2021, 21% of Russian respondents said they followed the protests closely, 59% said they heard about it, and 19% said they did not hear anything about it. 22% of respondents felt positive about the protests, 37% felt neutral, and 39% felt negative. 45% and 43% of respondents said that they expected further growth in protest activity with political demands or economic demands, respectively – the highest rate since 1998. However, only 15% and 17% expressed willingness to take part in political protests or economic protests, respectively – a drop compared to the last poll in November 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.levada.ru/2021/02/10/yanvarskie-protesty/|title=ЯНВАРСКИЕ ПРОТЕСТЫ|website=Levada.ru|date=10 February 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/02/10/russians-protest-expectations-hit-20-year-high-willingness-to-attend-falls-poll-a72883|title=Russians' Protest Expectations Hit 20-Year High, Willingness to Attend Falls – Poll|website=The Moscow Times|date=10 February 2021}}

According to a poll by the same pollster published on 13 May 2021, 11% of Russian respondents said they followed the 21 April protests closely, 61% said they heard about it, and 28% said they did not hear anything about it. 16% of respondents had positive attitudes to the 21 April protests, 42% were neutral, and 39% had negative attitudes.{{cite web|url=https://www.levada.ru/2021/05/13/protesty-21-aprelya/|title=ПРОТЕСТЫ 21 АПРЕЛЯ|website=levada.ru|date=13 May 2021}}

The human rights organisation OVD-Info created a petition against the "Fortress" plan, which was introduced in police sites in order to ban visits to the police department by "unauthorized persons", which, in turn, prevents the direct meeting of lawyers with their detainees.{{Cite news|title=Опубликована петиция "Вернём задержанным право на защиту"|url=https://www.svoboda.org/a/31087887.html|website=Радио «Свобода»|date=5 February 2021}}{{Cite news|title="ОВД-Инфо" потребовал от главы МВД "немедленно остановить насилие" в отношении задержанных на протестах|url=https://snob.ru/news/ovd-info-potreboval-ot-glavy-mvd-nemedlenno-ostanovit-nasilie-v-otnoshenii-zaderzhannyh-na-protestah/|website=«Сноб»|date=5 February 2021}}{{Cite news|title=Петиция дня: Остановить насилие по отношению к задержанным на протестных акциях — от "ОВД-Инфо"|url=https://www.the-village.ru/shorts/peticia-ovd-info|website=the-village.ru|date=5 February 2021}}{{Cite news|title="ОВД-Инфо" запустил петицию против плана "Крепость" в отделах полиции. Он позволяет не пускать адвокатов и пытать задержанных|url=https://meduza.io/news/2021/02/05/ovd-info-zapustil-petitsiyu-protiv-plana-krepost-v-otdelah-politsii-on-pozvolyaet-ne-puskat-advokatov-i-pytat-zaderzhannyh|website=Meduza|date=5 February 2021}}{{Cite news|title=Десятки известных людей поддержали петицию ОВД-Инфо против полицейского беспредела|author=|url=https://ovdinfo.org/articles/2021/02/11/krepost|website=ОВД-Инфо|date=11 February 2021}}

A number of petitions including by Novaya Gazeta and Amnesty International were also created demanding for Navalny's freedom.{{Cite news|title=Петиция "Новой газеты" в поддержку Навального набрала больше 116 тысяч подписей|author=|url=https://novayagazeta.ru/news/2021/01/22/167290-petitsiya-novoy-gazety-v-podderzhku-navalnogo-nabrala-bolshe-115-tysyach-podpisey|website=Новая газета|date=22 January 2021|access-date=28 March 2021|archive-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123212849/https://novayagazeta.ru/news/2021/01/22/167290-petitsiya-novoy-gazety-v-podderzhku-navalnogo-nabrala-bolshe-115-tysyach-podpisey|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|title=Петицию с требованием освободить Алексея Навального подписали почти 120 тысяч человек|url=https://www.rosbalt.ru/russia/2021/01/22/1883537.html|website=rosbalt.ru|date=22 January 2021}}{{Cite news|title=Потребуйте освободить Алексея Навального|url=https://eurasia.amnesty.org/potrebujte-osvobodit-alekseya-navalnogo/|website=Amnesty International|access-date=28 March 2021|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414112104/https://eurasia.amnesty.org/potrebujte-osvobodit-alekseya-navalnogo/|url-status=dead}} A petition by Novaya Gazeta demanded a change to the law on rallies and demonstrations in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation and to guarantee citizens the right of peaceful assembly. The petition by Novaya Gazeta demanding for Navalny's release was signed by over 200,000 people,{{cite web|url=https://www.charge.org/p/налогоплательщики-рф-немедленно-освободить-алексея-навального|title=Немедленно освободить Алексея Навального|website=change.org}} including numerous celebrities and public figures.{{Cite news|title=Российские знаменитости потребовали изменить закон о митингах на фоне акций в поддержку Навального|author=|url=https://www.rosbalt.ru/russia/2021/02/08/1886476.html|website=Росбалт|date=8 February 2021}}{{Cite news|title=Более 180 актеров, режиссеров, писателей и ученых подписали открытое письмо с требованием изменить законодательство о митингах|url=https://meduza.io/news/2021/02/08/bolee-180-akterov-rezhisserov-pisateley-i-uchenyh-podpisali-otkrytoe-pismo-s-trebovaniem-izmenit-zakonodatelstvo-o-mitingah|website=meduza.io|date=8 February 2021}}{{Cite news|title=Петиция дня: Отпустить всех задержанных на прошедших митингах и остановить судебный произвол|url=https://www.the-village.ru/shorts/petitsiya-novoy-gazety|website=the-village.ru}}{{Cite news|title=Кремль ожидает, что петиция "Новой" с призывом привести закон о митингах в соответствие с Конституцией РФ привлечет внимание законодателей|author=|url=https://novayagazeta.ru/news/2021/02/09/167722-peskov|website=Новая газета|date=9 February 2021|access-date=26 March 2021|archive-date=9 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209190927/https://novayagazeta.ru/news/2021/02/09/167722-peskov|url-status=dead}} Amnesty International published a request for collective assistance in writing appeals in order to achieve justice in the case of Margarita Yudina, who was beaten during the protest.{{Cite news|date=15 February 2021|title=Россия: Маргарите Юдиной, избитой в ходе акции протеста, отказывают в правосудии. Помогите нам добиться справедливости!|website=eurasia.amnesty.org|url=https://eurasia.amnesty.org/2021/02/15/rossiya-margarite-yudinoj-izbitoj-v-hode-akczii-protesta-otkazyvayut-v-pravosudii-pomogite-nam-dobitsya-spravedlivosti/|access-date=27 March 2021|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227073933/https://eurasia.amnesty.org/2021/02/15/rossiya-margarite-yudinoj-izbitoj-v-hode-akczii-protesta-otkazyvayut-v-pravosudii-pomogite-nam-dobitsya-spravedlivosti/|url-status=dead}} Petitions to bring to justice the security official who committed the violence was also filed by the Libertarian Party.{{Cite news|date=27 February 2021|title=Россияне требуют привлечь к ответственности полицейского, пнувшего женщину на митинге в Петербурге|website=rosbalt.ru|url=https://www.rosbalt.ru/piter/2021/01/27/1884232.html}} A petition by Amnesty International that was signed by over 200,000 people was sent to the Kremlin.{{Cite news|title=Amnesty International передала России петицию с требованием освободить Навального: её подписали почти 200 тыс. человек|url=https://www.rosbalt.ru/world/2021/02/19/1888532.html|website=Росбалт|date=19 February 2021}}{{Cite news|title=В Кремль переданы почти 200 тыс. подписей под требованием освободить Навального|url=https://www.znak.com/2021-02-20/v_kreml_peredany_pochti_200_tys_podpisey_pod_trebovaniem_osvobodit_navalnogo|website=Znak.com|date=20 February 2021|access-date=28 March 2021|archive-date=27 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227164958/https://www.znak.com/2021-02-20/v_kreml_peredany_pochti_200_tys_podpisey_pod_trebovaniem_osvobodit_navalnogo|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|title=Amnesty International передала в Кремль требование освободить Навального. Его подписали 200 тысяч человек|url=https://www.currenttime.tv/a/amnesty-international-navalny/31112625.html|website=Настоящее время|date=20 February 2021}}{{Cite news|title=Amnesty International передала в Кремль почти 200 тысяч подписей под требованием освобождения Алексея Навального|url=https://eurasia.amnesty.org/2021/02/19/amnesty-international-peredala-v-kreml-pochti-200-tysyach-podpisej-pod-trebovaniem-osvobozhdeniya-alekseya-navalnogo/|website=Amnesty International|date=19 February 2021}}{{Cite news|title=Amnesty International передала в Кремль петицию с требованием освободить Навального. Ее подписали 200 тысяч человек|url=https://meduza.io/news/2021/02/20/amnesty-international-peredala-v-kreml-petitsiyu-s-trebovaniem-osvobodit-navalnogo-ee-podpisali-200-tysyach-chelovek|website=meduza.io|date=20 February 2021}}{{Cite news|title=Россияне заполонили интернет петициями с требованием освободить Навального|url=https://www.rosbalt.ru/russia/2021/01/19/1882772.html|date=19 January 2021|website=rosbalt.ru}}

In addition, several petitions were created demanding for the release of a Chechen protester, Said-Magomed Dzhumaev, who clashed with security forces in Moscow.{{Cite news|title="Он защищал наше право не быть избитым": россияне вступились за чеченца, подравшегося с силовиками на митинге|url=https://www.rosbalt.ru/russia/2021/01/31/1884942.html|website=Росбалт|date=31 January 2021}}{{Cite news|title="Ему стали посвящать стихи, тысячи людей подписывают петицию в его поддержку"|url=https://charter97.org/ru/news/2021/2/8/410629/|website=charter97.org|date=8 February 2021}}

Marina Litvinenko, the widow of Alexander Litvinenko, created a petition calling for the Nobel Peace Prize to be awarded to Alexei Navalny.{{Cite news|title=Вдова Литвиненко за присуждение премии мира Навальному и Пономарёву|url=https://www.svoboda.org/a/31047338.html|website=Радио «Свобода»|date=15 January 2021}}{{Cite news|title=Петиция дня: Дать Нобелевскую премию мира Алексею Навальному и Льву Пономарёву|url=https://www.ru/shorts/navalnomu-nobelevku|website=the-village.ru}}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite news|title=Петиция Марины Литвиненко: Присудить Навальному и Пономареву Нобелевскую премию мира|url=https://echo.msk.ru/blog/a_goldfarb/2774138-echo/|website=Эхо Москвы|date=15 January 2021}}{{Cite news|title=Нобелевскую премию мира Алексею Навальному|url=https://www.znak.com/2021-01-19/na_change_org_sobirayut_podpisi_za_prisuzhdenie_navalnomu_nobelevskoy_premii_mira|website=Znak.com|date=19 January 2021|access-date=28 March 2021|archive-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302153632/https://www.znak.com/2021-01-19/na_change_org_sobirayut_podpisi_za_prisuzhdenie_navalnomu_nobelevskoy_premii_mira|url-status=dead}}

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price condemned what he called "harsh tactics against protesters and journalists" and called on the Russian authorities to "release all those detained for exercising their universal rights". He also urged Russia to "fully cooperate with the international community's investigation into the poisoning of Aleksey Navalny and credibly explain the use of a chemical weapon on its soil".{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/protests-in-russia/|title=Protests in Russia|date=23 January 2021|website=state.gov}}

File:Meeleavaldus Navalnõi toetuseks.IMG 20210123 120743(1).jpg, Tallinn (Estonia)]]

File:Репортаж перед консульством России в Монреале.jpg (Canada)]]

The EU's High Representative Josep Borrell said that he would press for the release of Navalny when he visits Moscow on 5 February 2021, saying that it would be "a good opportunity to discuss with my Russian counterpart all relevant issues, to pass clear messages on the current situation". EU foreign ministers debated sanctions on Russia however held off new sanctions for the time being.{{cite web|url=https://tass.com/world/1248739|title=EU's Josep Borrell to visit Russia soon ahead of discussion on ties with Moscow|agency=TASS |date=25 January 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/01/25/eu-holds-off-navalny-sanctions-envoy-to-visit-moscow-next-month-a72723|title=EU Holds Off Navalny Sanctions, Envoy to Visit Moscow Next Month|newspaper=The Moscow Times|date=25 January 2021}}

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab condemned what he called was "the Russian authorities' use of violence against peaceful protesters and journalists". He also called on the Russian government to "release citizens detained during peaceful demonstrations". The British Foreign Ministry in a statement said that it was "deeply concerned by the detention of peaceful protesters" and that it was continuing to "monitor the situation closely".{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/alexei-navalny-supporters-clash-with-police-and-hundreds-arrested-as-mass-protests-expected-across-russia-12196130 |title=U.S. and U.K. condemn "harsh tactics" as hundreds of Alexei Navalny supporters arrested amid mass protests|publisher=Sky News|date=23 January 2021}}

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi urged the Russian government to release Navalny, calling for "transparency and bring the perpetrators' of Navalny's poisoning to justice. Motegi also states that "The Japanese government is closely watching (the situation) with concern. We want to request the release of Mr. Navalny and those who have been detained arbitrarily while engaging in peaceful demonstrations".{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/01/27/national/japan-urges-moscow-release-opposition-leader-navalny-protestors/|title=Japan urges Moscow to release Alexei Navalny and protesters|newspaper=The Japan Times|author=Kyodo|date=27 January 2021|access-date=29 January 2021}}

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin expressed his support for Navalny,{{Cite web | url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/rangers-panarin-shows-support-russian-opposition-leader-navalny/ | title=Rangers' Panarin shows support for Russian opposition leader Navalny - Sportsnet.ca }} and shortly after took absentee of leave following allegations he assaulted an 18-year old Russian in 2011. He states he believes the allegations are politically motivated.{{Cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/feb/22/artemi-panarin-new-york-rangers-leave-putin-navalny-nhl | title=NHL star Artemi Panarin on leave after 'intimidation' over Navalny support | New York Rangers | the Guardian }}

; 23 January

Solidarity protests were also held in cities around the world on 23 January 2021, including Berlin, Munich, Paris, Prague, Kraków, Helsinki, London, Tallinn, The Hague, Denver, Vienna, Tel Aviv, Copenhagen, Melbourne, Sydney, Montreal and Tokyo.{{cite web|url=https://meduza.io/feature/2021/01/23/mitingi-za-navalnogo-proshli-vo-mnogih-stranah-mira-tam-nikogo-ne-zaderzhivali-i-ne-bili|title=Митинги за Навального прошли во многих странах мира. Там (почти) никого не задерживали и не били|website=meduza.io|date=23 January 2021}}

• In The Hague, Netherlands, around 250 people gathered at a rally.
• In Berlin, Germany around 1,000 protesters were estimated to have gathered at a rally.
• In Copenhagen, Denmark around 150 people gathered in front of the Russian Embassy.{{cite web|date=22 January 2021|title=Putin er nervøs og forsøger at kvæle protester fra Navalnyj-tilhængere i hele Rusland|url=https://politiken.dk/udland/art8075601/Putin-er-nerv%C3%B8s-og-fors%C3%B8ger-at-kv%C3%A6le-protester-fra-Navalnyj-tilh%C3%A6ngere-i-hele-Rusland|access-date=23 January 2021|publisher=Politiken|language=da}}
• In Stockholm, Sweden around 80 people gathered outside the Russian embassy.{{cite news|url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/polisen-ingrep-mot-demonstration-i-stockholm|title=Polisen ingrep mot demonstration i Stockholm|newspaper=Sveriges Radio|date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123180805/https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/polisen-ingrep-mot-demonstration-i-stockholm |archive-date=23 January 2021}} In Gothenburg, around 20 people gathered outside the Russian consulate.{{cite web|url=https://www.gp.se/nyheter/g%C3%B6teborg/demonstration-f%C3%B6r-navalny-i-g%C3%B6teborg-uppl%C3%B6st-av-polis-1.40360154|title=Demonstration för Navalny i Göteborg upplöst av polis|website=gp.se|date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123184628/https://www.gp.se/nyheter/g%C3%B6teborg/demonstration-f%C3%B6r-navalny-i-g%C3%B6teborg-uppl%C3%B6st-av-polis-1.40360154|archive-date=23 January 2021}}
• In Belgrade, Serbia around 10 people gathered outside the Church of Saint Sava before the police came because they "violated epidemiological measures".{{cite news |url=https://www.slobodnaevropa.org/a/31065120.html|title=Policija u Beogradu zabranila skup podrške Navaljnom zbog kršenja epidemioloških mera|date=23 January 2021|newspaper=Radio Slobodna Evropa |language=sr}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vesti.rs/Region/Policija-u-Beogradu-zabranila-skup-podrske-Navaljnom-zbog-krsenja-epidemioloskih-mera-2.html|title=POLICIJA U BEOGRADU ZABRANILA SKUP PODRŠKE NAVALJNOM ZBOG KRŠENJA EPIDEMIOLOŠKIH MERA|date=23 January 2021|publisher=Vesti.rs|language=sr}}
• In Tel Aviv, Israel, around 1,500 to 2,000 people were estimated to have gathered at a rally near the Russian embassy. Due to COVID-related restrictions, the crowd was asked to disperse by the organizers. Several hundred demonstrators then moved towards the Russian embassy. Another 600 to 1000 protesters were estimated to have gathered at a rally in Haifa.{{cite web|url=https://www.znak.com/2021-01-23/my_sebya_ne_na_sklade_gryazi_nashli_kak_izrail_mitingoval_za_navalnogo_fotoreportazh|title="Мы себя не на складе грязи нашли". Как Израиль митинговал за Навального. Фоторепортаж|website=znak.com|date=23 January 2021|access-date=23 January 2021|archive-date=24 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124101636/https://www.znak.com/2021-01-23/my_sebya_ne_na_sklade_gryazi_nashli_kak_izrail_mitingoval_za_navalnogo_fotoreportazh|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newsru.co.il/israel/23jan2021/ta_nav812.html|title=В Тель-Авиве и Хайфе на митинги солидарности с Навальным пришли тысячи человек|website=newsru.co.il|date=23 January 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.newsru.com/world/23Jan2021/abroad_navalny.html|title=За рубежом прошли акции солидарности с Навальным (ФОТО, ВИДЕО)|website=newsru.com|date=23 January 2021}}
• In Moldova, there were protests in favor of Navalny but also some protests against him.{{cite news|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/navalny-protest-moldova-russia-solidarity-support-opposition/31066523.html|title=Dueling rallies in Moldova support, criticize Kremlin foe Navalny|newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=24 January 2021}}
• In Guam, a group of about 15 people of the Russian-speaking minority protested for U.S. intervention.{{cite web|url=https://www.postguam.com/news/local/demonstrators-call-for-russian-opposition-leaders-freedom/article_b0ee009c-5d42-11eb-87ba-2f89c5cc50cd.html|title=Demonstrators call for Russian opposition leader's freedom|newspaper=Guam Daily Post|date=24 January 2021}}

; 31 January

The solidarity movement of Russian communities abroad further expanded, as a total of around 3,000 participated in rallies across several major European cities as well as Philadelphia and San Francisco.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} Rallies in support of Navalny were held in Australia and New Zealand. A rally in Sydney included people who disagreed with the protesters.{{cite web|title=Репортаж о протестах в городах Австралии и Новой Зеландии: за и против|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/language/russian/audio/protest-rallies-in-support-of-navalny-and-the-russian-opposition-in-australia-and-new-zealand|access-date=2021-02-03|publisher=Special Broadcasting Service|language=ru}}

21 April

In solidarity with Navalny's hunger strike protests were held in a range of Russian and international cities among which are Rome, Riga, Tbilisi, London, Berlin, Hagatna and Tel Aviv.{{Cite web|title=Тбилиси для людей и про людей|url=https://t.me/tbilisipeople/2568|access-date=2021-04-21|website=Telegram}}{{Cite web|title=День солидарности с Навальным. Как это было Задержали около полутора тысяч человек по всей стране (заметно меньше, чем на предыдущих акциях)|url=https://meduza.io/live/2021/04/21/den-solidarnosti-s-alekseem-navalnym-onlayn-meduzy|access-date=2021-04-21|website=meduza.io|language=ru}}

On the US island of Guam, a protest took place against the autocratic rule of Vladimir Putin. The action took place at the Legislature in Hagatna, symbolizing a veto on Putin's message to the Federal Assembly.{{cite web|url=https://www.postguam.com/news/local/russian-asylum-seekers-show-support-for-opposition-leader/article_d1f9d1fa-a24b-11eb-a8ae-1332c80c5ad5.html|title=Russian asylum seekers show support for opposition leader. April, 21, 2021 Russian protest outside Congress of Guam|newspaper=Guam Daily Post|date=24 January 2021}}

File:Russian OMON police task forces during pro-navalny rallies.jpg|Tsvetnoy Boulevard, Moscow

File:Шествие в поддержку Алексея Навального, Санкт-Петербург, 2021.01.24 (2).jpg|Nevsky Prospekt, Saint Petersburg

File:Demonstration in Nizhny Novgorod in support of Alexei Navalny 31.01.2021 01.jpg|Minin and Pozharsky Square, Nizhny Novgorod

File:2021-01-23 Peter's Square, Lipetsk 01.jpg|Peter the Great Square, Lipetsk

File:Pro-Navalny Rallies in Kazan (2021-01-23) (88).jpg|Bauman Street, Kazan

File:Митинг 23.01.2021 Краснодар victor morozov.jpg|Ulitsa Krasnaya, Krasnodar

• 2017–2018 Russian protests
• 2019 Moscow protests
• List of protests in the 21st century

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