RUSSIA’S war against Ukraine reached the six-month milestone today as the latter held muted independence day celebrations.

The human rights group OVD-Info issued a report saying 16,437 Russians have so far been detained for protesting against the war.

One of the highest profile was arrested today: former Yekaterinburg mayor Yevgeny Roizman, who was charged with discrediting the military for referring publicly to an “invasion” of Ukraine.

Russia has banned speaking about it in those terms, insisting it is a “special military operation.”

A small protest was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia’s fourth-largest city, in support of Mr Roizman, while Sverdlovsk regional Governor Yevgeny Kuyvashev issued a video asking that he be treated with “fairness and respect.”

In Kiev a display of destroyed Russian military equipment was set up, but authorities warned against mass rallies for fear of Russian shelling.

Western powers marked the date by announcing further military support for Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden pledged $2.98 billion (£2.5bn) for “air defence systems, artillery systems and munitions, counter-unmanned aerial systems, and radars.”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, visiting Kiev, said £54 million more in weaponry was coming while Germany offered €500m (£421m).

Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance needed to help Ukraine fight what had become a “grinding war of attrition.” 

Ukraine’s Supreme Soviet declared independence from the Soviet Union on August 24 1991, following a failed attempt by senior communist politicians in Moscow to overthrow Mikhail Gorbachev and preserve the union.