Russia investigates more than 10 criminal cases of misinformation

Russian investigators have launched more than 10 criminal cases into incidents they said spread misinformation about the Russian armed forces amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russia introduced penalties of up to 15 years' imprisonment for statements that did not adhere to official guidance on references to military operations or were seen as defaming the armed forces.

For example, the war must be called a special military operation in Russia.

On the streets, police arrested demonstrators with placards reading "No to war.'' the head of the investigative authority, Alexander Bastrykin, told the TASS news agency on Friday.

He said that the strict penalties for violating the law should "minimise incorrect information and its negative influence on a wide audience.

Bastrykin said the new legislation was a means of defending against what he called the "Western information war against Russia.''