Russia: Communist Party calls for demonstration in Moscow Feb. 23

Event

The Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF) will lead a rally in Moscow Feb. 23 to mark Defender of the Fatherland Day. Communist activists and several deputies from the State Duma will gather at the Monument to Prince Vladimir (Pamyatnik Knyazyu Vladimiru) in Borovitskaya Square around 1400. Attendance is unlikely to exceed the low hundreds.

Although city authorities have granted permission for the gathering, police will likely deploy in the vicinity. Associated crowd-control measures, including possible movement restrictions, could prompt localized disruption. Security forces are likely to disperse any protesters if they attempt to demonstrate away from the authorized venue or fail to disperse by the agreed time. Police are liable to disperse even authorized demonstrations if they are deemed to be disruptive; officers will not hesitate to use force, including baton charges and tear gas, if resisted. While bystanders are unlikely to be targeted, they would face a significant indirect physical threat.

Advice

Avoid the protest as a routine security precaution and to mitigate any associated disruptions. Anticipate security-related movement restrictions in the vicinity of Borovitskaya Square the afternoon of Feb. 23. Leave the area immediately at the first sign of a confrontation.