Dozens of people have been detained at Kushtau Hill in Russia's Bashkortostan region following clashes between environmental activists and workers of the Bashkir Soda Company (BSK).
The Battle For Russia's Kushtau Hill
- By RFE/RL
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People take part in a protest against the Bashkir Soda Company's plans to use the area for limestone mining on August 16. Local residents started staging rallies on August 15 and drawing up online petitions to protect and preserve Kushtau as one of the four "shihans," the remains of ancient sea reefs, stretching along the Belaya River over 20 kilometers, holding paleontological value and inhabited by endangered species.
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People take part in a protest on August 16. The sign reads, "Kushtau, live!".
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People wave flags as a part of a protest on August 16.
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Bashkortostan head Rady Khabirov attends negotiations with protesters against the BSK's plans to use the area for limestone mining on August 16.
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Activists gather on Kushtau Hill to protest against BSK's plans for limestone mining on August 15.
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People stand behind barbed wire during the protests.
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Activists stand on Kushtau Hill.
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BSK supporters and protesters against its mining plans on the Kushtau Hill face off on August 15.
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Private security guards gather on Kushtau Hill.
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Protesters confront the police on August 15.
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Security guards confront the protesters on August 15.
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Police face the protesters on August 15.
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A protester holds a sign saying, "Kushtau, live!" on August 15.
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Heavy machinery at the site of clashes
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Women protest at Kushtau Hill.
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Azamat Abdrakhmanov (center), head of the Ishimbay district, arrives at Kushtau Hill for talks with the protesters on August 15.
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Protesters on August 15
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Detained activists take a photo from the police car on August 15.
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Activists detained in Kushtau are seen in Sterlitamak.
