Russian Ruling Party Has Local Office Vandalized

KIROV, Russia -- An office of the ruling United Russia party has been vandalized in Russia’s central city of Kirov, party officials said.

A party official told RFE/RL that the office's windows and doors sustained heavy damage, apparently including from paint guns, on May 9.

Media in Kirov have reported that a local opposition group called Autonomous Action has claimed responsibility for the vandalism.

Some 30 Autonomous Action activists marched across Kirov on May 9, chanting, “Putin, go away!” and, “We do not trust power-holders.”

The activists said the march was meant as an expression of solidarity with protesters in the Russian capital, Moscow, where opposition activists have been staging a series of protests against this week's start of Vladimir Putin’s third term as president.