Police in Murmansk detains 15-year old girl for wearing pin with Ukrainian colours

The detention took place on the 4th of June, the same day as rallies were organised across Russia in support of political prisoner Aleksei Navalny.

The 15-year old girl had the blue and yellow pin attached to her backpack, which was enough to attack police attention.

She was taken to the police station for questioning, and reportedly explained to the officers that she is not a supporter of Ukraine, but only wants “peace in the world,” the Russian version of the Barents Observer reports.

The school girl is the daughter of Aleksei Ostashov, a soldier who was killed during the first weeks of Russia’s onslaught on Ukraine.

Ostashov was among the first fallen soldiers honoured by regional Murmansk Governor Andrei Chibis.

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On the 17th of May 2022, Chibis posted a message on his VK page with condolences over his death and the death of fellow soldier Aleksei Malikov.

“They died in the special operation, fighting for a world without Nazism,” Chibis wrote. “Until the end, they stayed true to their duties and oath, protecting the security of our country,” he added.

The 15-year old girl was not the only person detained in Russia on the 4th of June. Across the country, police detained 117 people in connection with protests over the arrest of Aleksei Navalny. In the north Russian region of Komi, police officers arrested activists Grigory Kabalis, Yelena Gulling and Vladimir Yudin.

The 4th of June is the birthday of Navalny.