Up to 1,000 Russians have turned up to a major anti-war protest in central Moscow calling on Vladimir Putin to halt his invasion of Ukraine.

Police clashed with demonstrators as hundreds of people flooded the historic Pushkin Square, one of the busiest areas in Moscow.

Crowds are thought to be attempting to push through a barricade blocking them from marching to the Kremlin, the official residence of the Russian president.

A journalist with the Daily Telegraph reported that protesters were being dragged away ‘indiscriminately’ and said she was briefly detained despite repeatedly telling officers she was a journalist.

Footage taken earlier in the day showed armour-clad riot police marching through Moscow’s streets in anticipation of unrest.

Marina Litvinovich, a prominent opposition figure who called for protest, was arrested as soon as she left her house, Russian independent news site The Insider reported.

Locals said police appeared to be ‘arresting everyone’ on sight after authorities said anyone attending unauthorised demonstrations would be prosecuted for public order offences.

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