Sochi: three persons picket against Russia's military actions in Syria

On August 30, three members of the “Yabloko” Party, Irene Ilyenkova, Alexei Chelmakin and Pavel Lisichkin, held a picket in Kurortny Avenue of Sochi against Russia's participation in warfare in Syria, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

The picketers gave out leaflets to passers-by explaining that Russia's spending on military actions in Syria could have been more reasonably directed to peaceful purposes within its own country and its citizens. During the picket, according to organizers, they managed to collect about 100 signatures to a letter in support of the initiative to stop Russia's participation in military operations in Syria.

"The war in Syria is ruinous for the Russian economy. Russia has got involved in an alien civil war. Russia has intervened in a complex religious conflict contrary to its national interests; therefore, Russia has become a target for terrorists from around the world. Why should our soldiers and officers sacrifice their lives? Should they do it for the endless rule of dictator al-Assad? What are Russia’s national interests there? Each week of participation in this war costs over a billion roubles," Alexei Chelmakin told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.