Arkhangelsk, April 4th: a street picket was held by the activists of the local Oborona branch and the People’s Democrat Union in front of the city’s recruiting office. The purpose of the action was to promote transition to the voluntary military service from the obligatory one; leaflets on the alternative civilian service were also distributed at the action.

There were lots of policemen (even their local head) even though the picket was legal. Perhaps, this can be explained by some past events: two years ago someone tried to set this office on fire, and about a year ago a few members of a subculture held there an illegal street protest when one of their friends was recruited.

A fact worth noticing: the Head of Arkhangelsk Military Recruiting Office showed up and asked the street activists to share their opinion about the problems regarding military and alternative civilian service. It may well be connected with the military commission group from Moscow that is now inspecting the state of affairs in Arkhangelsk.