At least 340 people were arrested today in 30 Russian cities at events held in his memory Alexei Navalnyaccording to the human rights advocacy organization OVD-Info.

It is the biggest wave of arrests in political protests in Russia since September 2022, when more than 1,300 people were arrested in protests against Moscow’s “partial conscription” for its invasion of Ukraine.

OVD-Info reported that the largest number of arrests today were made in Saint Petersburg and Moscowwhere the pro-Navalni movement has traditionally been strong, with 74 and 49 prisoners, respectively, as of 16:36 Greek time today.

Footage from Reuters in St Petersburg showed dozens gathering next to a memorial to victims of repression. Some laid flowers and left candles, while some sang hymns and others hugged each other, in tears. A Reuters reporter at the scene said about 30 people were arrested at the scene.

OVD-Info also reported isolated arrests in smaller towns across Russia, from the border town Belgorodwhere seven were killed in a Ukrainian missile strike on Thursday, to Vorkuta, in the Arctic where once the period of Stalin Gulag forced labor camp was located

Reuters was unable to verify the group’s accounts, and Russian police declined to comment.