The activists had received permission to hold a small rally across the street from the embassy but stood next to it instead, Lenta.ru reported. They held signs that read, "McFaul, save us," referring to new U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul.
Police arrested the activists almost immediately after they appeared and took them into the security room of the embassy.
Pro-Kremlin activists have taken to calling supporters of lawyer and anti-corruption blogger Alexei Navalny hamsters after he called himself a "network hamster."
One of the participants in Friday's rally, leader of the movement Rossiya Molodaya Anton Demidov, said the hamster costumes were meant to represent the protesters that attended opposition rallies at Bolotnaya Ploshchad and Prospekt Sakharova.
"Hamsters are irresponsible animals, and it's bad, but look how much attention they get," the pro-Kremlin activist said, Lenta.ru reported. He also said that each costume was purchased with his own money for 3000 rubles ($100) each.
Demidov's hamster costumes first appeared Feb. 4 during an opposition rally at Bolotnaya Ploshchad. During the event activists dressed in the costumes took photographs with Navalny that were later posted to blogging site LiveJournal.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
