Russia has begun arresting anti-war protesters as demonstrations break out after Putin invades Ukraine

The Russian government warned anti-war protesters that they could be arrested for organizing.

As small protests have broken out in some Russian cities, the detentions have begun.

Russia's Investigative Committee warned citizens not to take part in unauthorized protests associated with the tense foreign political situation.

The committee said that people should be aware of the negative legal consequences of their actions.

The committee said that the law provides for severe punishment for organizing mass riots and resisting law enforcement officers.

Citizens who undertake illegal acts may face imprisonment.

—NEXTA (@nexta_tv) February 24, 2022

More than 400 anti-war demonstrators have been arrested in 39 cities just before 8 pm local time, according to protest-monitoring group OVD-Info.

Less than a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a war on Ukraine, videos of protesters taking to the streets in multiple cities emerged.

A video posted by Novaya Gazeta shows a group of people being hauled away by authorities.

The crowd of roughly 200 demonstrators chanted "No to war!" according to the news outlet.

—Новая Газета (@novaya_gazeta) February 24, 2022

Marina Litvinovich, a prominent human rights Moscow-based activist, who earlier Thursday called on Russians via social media to protest in multiple cities across the country, was taken into custody on her way out of her home.

—Alex Kokcharov (@AlexKokcharov) February 24, 2022

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been going on for years.

As many as 190,000 troops were assembled by Russia in the largest military operation in the region since World War II.

Putin ordered troops to be sent to the east of the country after he recognized the independence of two Moscow-backed regions.

Putin authorized a full-scale attack on Ukraine less than 72 hours later. Many hundreds of miles from the previous conflict zone, the cities of Ukraine were bombarded by explosions in the hours that followed. Dozens of casualties were reported in the fighting on its borders with Russia.

The new wave of hostilities expanded the clash from a limited incursion over disputed land into the most serious armed conflict in Europe in at least a decade.

Insider is covering the developments of the invasion on their live blog.