Siberian Woman Arrested for Criticizing Russian Soldiers in Viral Video During Russia Day Celebrations

Police apprehended a woman in the Irkutsk region of Siberia after she shared a video on social media denouncing Russia Day and the country’s soldiers involved in the conflict with Ukraine.

Maria Makhmutova, 35, was taken into custody on Friday. Authorities indicated that she “acted inappropriately and attempted to flee multiple times” while being escorted from her home to a police station.

In a video published by the regional department of Russia’s Interior Ministry, officers can be seen using a sledgehammer and a pick to forcefully break down Makhmutova’s door as she resisted their entry. The woman appeared visibly upset when police entered her residence, although she remarked that she “feels better” because they were filming her.

While being processed for booking, Makhmutova seemed to physically resist the officers as they led her away. During the incident, she displayed a middle finger towards them as they took her photograph at the police station.

Her arrest followed a video she posted the day before, where she expressed her outrage over Russia Day, which is celebrated each year on June 12, as well as the ongoing war in Ukraine.

“What kind of celebration is this, for heaven’s sake? An absolutely amazing holiday — Russia Day. What exactly are you proud of? That you have to take lives to afford a new car or apartment?” she stated in her video.

“To party as if there’s no tomorrow and to flaunt your medals?» she continued. “You’re nothing but murderers. If all the [soldiers fighting in Ukraine] were to perish tomorrow, I would raise a glass of wine in celebration.”

Before her arrest on Friday, Makhmutova mentioned that she had called the police herself after receiving threats regarding her video. In another clip shared on her social media, she threatened to harm herself on camera.