More than 1,000 rally in Russian region in continuing protests over activist’s jailing

Police used batons, tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the protesters, who chanted “Freedom!” and “Disgrace!” and demanded the ouster of Bashkortostan’s regional leader. The unrest was one of the largest reported demonstrations since the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, and raised the threat of instability in the region of 4 million. Asked whether the Kremlin was worried about the demonstrations in Bashkortostan, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, downplayed their significance.