Thousands of Russians converged on downtown St. Petersburg, gathering in Palace Square on March 26 as part of nationwide anti-corruption protests. Scores of protesters were arrested in St. Petersburg as Russian media claimed a policeman was killed.

Protest marched from St. Isaac’s Cathedral towards Palace Square, where an estimated 10,000 people called for an end to Russian military operations abroad, the resignation of President Dmitry Medvedev, and an end to government corruption. Protesters chanted slogans in support of deceased Putin-critic Gary Nemtsov amid the demonstration, where at least 50 protesters were arrested. Journalists said that a number of student protesters were beaten during their arrest.

The protests were held in response to a report released in early March by a group affiliated with Russian opposition politician Alexey Navalny, which accused the prime minister of accumulating funds for assets through charities and NGOs. Navalny was arrested during a similar demonstration in Moscow on March 26.