Siberian Woman Detained for Outspoken Critique of Russia Day and Soldiers in Controversial Video

Police apprehended a woman in the Irkutsk region of Siberia after she shared a video on social media in which she criticized Russia Day and the soldiers participating in the conflict in Ukraine.

Maria Makhmutova, 35, was detained on Friday, with officials stating that she «exhibited inappropriate behavior and attempted to escape multiple times» while being escorted from her apartment to a nearby police station.

In a video released by the Irkutsk regional branch of Russia’s Interior Ministry, police can be seen breaking down Makhmutova’s door with a sledgehammer and pickaxe as she refused to let them enter. The woman appears distressed as the officers enter her home, but she tells them that she «feels better» since they are recording her.

As she was taken in for processing, Makhmutova visibly resisted the police during her escort. In the footage, she defiantly raised her middle finger at the officers while they were taking her picture at the station.

Makhmutova’s arrest followed her posting a video the previous day, in which she expressed her discontent with Russia Day, which is celebrated annually on June 12, along with the ongoing war in Ukraine.

«What kind of holiday is this, for heaven’s sake? An absolutely ridiculous holiday — Russia Day. What are you even proud of… that you must kill others to afford a new car and an apartment?» she states in her video.

“To drink like there’s no tomorrow and show off your ridiculous medals?” she continues. “You’re nothing but murderers. If all the [soldiers fighting in Ukraine] were to perish tomorrow, I would raise a glass of wine.”

Before her arrest on Friday, Makhmutova mentioned that she had called the police herself due to receiving threats related to her video. In one of her social media posts, she threatened to harm herself on camera.