On the 18th of May in St Petersburg, one deomonstration went unhindered by the authorities, the other provoked violence from OMON and police forces. Both had been sanctioned by the authorities, but in the case of the second- that permission was revoked at the last minute in messy legal wranglings. The first demonstration was attended by liberals, radical left wing activists, anti globalisation activists, communists, and anarchists. The second was of similar composition , although- primarily antiglobalisation in character but also attended by Russian neo fascist militant groups, some of whom were among those arrested. The presence of these Russian fascist groups was one main reason why calls to release all those illegaly detained by police failed to win group support among those liberal- left-extreme left protestors who escaped police/ OMON attention. Rascism is an issue that some of these Russian groups would do well to consider- as it is of little concern to the "Chechen", whether he is being beaten by Russian thugs in or out of uniform.

The preparations for Jubilee celebrations in St Petersburg have resulted in widescale infringment of basic civil liberties, and the OMON troops (Russian special forces) are backing up the "regular" police force. OMON troops are infamous for their flouting of International Law and the Geneva Convention in Chechnya. That they are now seen "policing" the streets of the Cultural Capital of Russia is a very worrying turn of events.