Russia protests: At least 260 nationalist Putin opponents held Published duration 5 November 2017

image copyright AFP image caption Supporters of the radical opposition Artillery Preparation group were arrested as they convened beside the Kremlin in central Moscow

At least 260 people have been arrested while protesting against Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, police say.

The protesters are believed to be linked to nationalist politician Vyacheslav Maltsev's Artillery Preparation movement.

It has been declared extremist and is banned in Russia.

Mr Maltsev says a revolution is imminent. Last year in a debate he called for Mr Putin to be impeached.

He is reported to be living abroad after a Moscow court issued an arrest warrant for him over his calls for extremist measures to overthrow the government.

Knuckledusters

The Tass news agency quoted police and independent monitors as saying supporters of the radical opposition group convened beside the Kremlin in central Moscow.

image copyright AFP image caption Those attending the protest were confronted by a tough police security operation

image copyright TV Centre image caption Vyacheslav Maltsev (left) took part in a TV debate ahead of elections to the Russian parliament last year - he is now believed to be living abroad in self-imposed exile

Most of the arrests were made in the Russian capital but people were also detained in five other cities.

Some of the protesters in Moscow were reported to be carrying knives, knuckledusters and rubber bullet-firing pistols.

An AFP photographer said police wearing helmets and bullet-proof vests at one point confronted the protesters in central Moscow.

Many of those arrested were reported to be men in their twenties and some are believed to have been released without charge soon afterwards.

Mr Maltsev ran for a parliament last year and runs a popular YouTube channel which is frequently critical of the government.