"Arrests and Detentions: Russia's Crackdown on Kremlin Critics and Former Allies"

Russian authorities have arrested Igor Girkin, a former Russian commander in Ukraine and prominent war blogger, on charges of promoting extremism. Girkin, also known as Igor Strelkov, played a role in Russia's invasion and annexation of Crimea in 2014 and served as a commander in Russian-controlled areas of Donbas in eastern Ukraine. He was previously convicted in the Netherlands for his alleged involvement in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17. Girkin's arrest is seen as a crackdown on criticism of Russia's military strategy in Ukraine, which is illegal in the country.