Russian protesters aided by digital tools, self-organising

Bessrochka member Misik earned a degree of fame after a photo of her sitting cross-legged in front of a line of riot police, reading from a copy of the Russian Constitution, was widely distributed on social media. Despite the group’s small numbers, its use of new digital tools and efforts to self-organise mark a shift in civil consciousness previously unseen in Russia. — Photos: AP

MOSCOW: It's a scene many Muscovites have grown used to seeing this summer as a new wave of anti-government demonstrations gripped the Russian capital: Two masked, heavily clad riot policemen drag away a shrieking teenager as the protesters around them try to free her.

But then the two officers abruptly straighten up when she kicks and shouts.