Police in Moscow detained approximately 60 people on Sunday at a rally organized by Russia’s Communist Party, according to the party itself. The detentions occurred as the event was winding down, the party said in a statement, adding that its Moscow branch was working to secure the release of those held — most of whom were described as young people.
The rally, held by the Kremlin-aligned Communist Party, commemorated the anniversary of the government’s violent suppression of a parliamentary uprising in October 1993. The gathering drew attention not only for its historical timing but for the slogans reportedly chanted by participants. The independent Telegram news channel Ostorozhno Novosti reported that protesters voiced demands including “Freedom for political prisoners,” “For fair elections,” and “Down with the Tsar.”
Mounting Public Frustration
The demonstration unfolded against a backdrop of growing public discontent in Russia as Ukrainian drone strikes continue to intensify deep inside the country. According to the Associated Press, those attacks have targeted oil refineries and warehouses, leading to fuel shortages and disruptions to daily life — including in Moscow.
The timing of the rally, marking one of the darkest chapters in modern Russian political history, carried symbolic weight. In October 1993, a prolonged standoff between President Boris Yeltsin and hard-line lawmakers opposed to his market reforms reached a breaking point. After Yeltsin ordered parliament dissolved and demonstrators backing the lawmakers attempted to seize the state television broadcasting center, he deployed the military. Tanks shelled the parliament building.
Authorities at the time reported 123 deaths, though unofficial estimates placed the toll in the hundreds.
A Party That Criticizes Carefully
The Communist Party has been a dominant force in Russia’s parliament since the 1990s. For more than three decades it has been led by Gennady Zyuganov, 82, a former Soviet official. Throughout President Vladimir Putin’s more than quarter-century in power, the Communists have occasionally criticized aspects of government policy but have carefully avoided any direct criticism of Putin himself. They have also steadfastly supported the war in Ukraine.
Sunday’s detentions are not the first instance of police action against participants in political gatherings in Moscow, but the fact that they occurred at an event hosted by a party that generally aligns with the Kremlin adds a layer of complexity to the picture. The party’s statement did not specify what prompted the detentions or where exactly those detained were taken.
The rally and subsequent detentions highlight the tension between the Communist Party’s historical role as a parliamentary opposition force and its current position as a loyal supporter of the Putin government. While the party’s leadership avoids criticizing the president, some of its supporters appear willing to voice grievances that go beyond the party’s official line — at least for now.
The Moscow branch of the Communist Party said it was actively working to obtain the release of those detained. There was no immediate word on whether any of those held faced formal charges.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2026/10/04/dozens-detained-at-communist-party-rally-in-moscow/