Russia: Protest planned in Moscow July 3 /update 2

Event

A rally is scheduled to take place in Moscow on Wednesday, July 3, to denounce the construction of a landfill in the city of Arkhangelsk (Arkhangelsk province). Protesters will gather at 18:30 (local time) at Suvorov Square. A heightened security presence is likely around the demonstration site; clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out.

Further protests are likely in the coming days and weeks in Moscow and Arkhangelsk.

Context

Similar protests have been held in Arkhangelsk since August 2018, shortly after construction of the new landfill began. The waste deposit will reportedly handle approximately 6 percent of the total volume of household waste produced in Moscow. Conservationists claim the facility will cause significant damage to the environment and contaminate local wetlands.

Advice

Individuals in Moscow and Arkhangelsk are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests as a precaution, and obey all instructions issued by the local authorities.