Rare Protest Near Kremlin Targets Putin with Controversial Display

ublic demonstrations in Russia have grown increasingly scarce since the country criminalized criticism of its military. But on Monday, a striking protest just steps from the Kremlin pierced the silence.

Provocative Message and Dramatic Stunt

A man whose identity remains unknown displayed a banner reading “Putin Hitler” near Moscow’s Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge, situated adjacent to the Kremlin. According to HotNews, the other side of the banner bore a swastika.

Video footage shared by independent outlet SOTAvision shows the man standing on the bridge’s edge before leaping into the river below. He floated face-up in the water, mimicking a lifeless body. A second video captures a rescue worker diving from a boat to reach him.

Emergency responders reportedly provided medical assistance, but the protester’s current condition has not been disclosed. No arrests or charges have been announced by Russian authorities.

Crackdown on Dissent Leaves Few Voices

Since the passage of legislation banning the “discrediting of the army” following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, anti-war and anti-government demonstrations have dwindled. The law has been used to impose heavy fines, jail sentences, and even exile for those who speak out.

The protest echoes a similar incident in November, when police detained a masked man staging an anti-Putin protest from a billboard in central Moscow. These rare acts of defiance have become symbolic reminders of shrinking public space for dissent in Russia.

As state control over expression tightens, the image of a lone protester floating beneath the Kremlin stands as a stark—and silent—act of rebellion.