Elderly Activist Jumps from Bridge in Bold Protest Against Putin in Front of Kremlin

An elderly individual in central Moscow conducted an unusual protest against Russian President Vladimir Putin before leaping from a bridge into the Moscow River, as reported by the independent news outlet SOTAvision on Tuesday.

Footage shared by the outlet shows the man, identified later as activist Grigory Saksanov, holding a sign that states «Putin Hitler» on one side and features a swastika on the other. He was seen perched on the edge of the Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge, directly opposite the Kremlin.

At the age of 68, Saksanov then jumped into the river, floating on his back and mimicking a lifeless body. A subsequent video captures a rescuer leaping from a boat to reach him.

Per reports from the exiled news source Novaya Gazeta Europe, Saksanov, affectionately known as «Uncle Grisha,» has faced multiple arrests during protests over the years, including one in October 2022 at Moscow’s Alexander Garden, where he held a sign that just read «Putin» alongside a swastika.

SOTAvision mentioned that paramedics attended to Saksanov after he was rescued from the water, but his current health status is unclear. Reports indicate that around eight police officers were sent to the scene.

Law enforcement has not confirmed any arrests related to this protest. Nevertheless, as per the Telegram news channel Baza, which has ties to Russian security services, the police intend to take Saksanov to a detention facility following a medical check at the hospital.

Public demonstrations against Putin and Russia’s actions in Ukraine have become increasingly infrequent due to stringent laws that effectively suppress military criticism. Many individuals have faced fines, imprisonment, or forced exile for their anti-war sentiments since the onset of the full-scale invasion.

In a similar vein, a masked individual was arrested by police in November after staging an anti-Putin demonstration from the top of a billboard in central Moscow.