St. Petersburg police detained at least four gay activists on Saturday during a rally at the Hermitage Museum, a police spokesman said.
About two dozen gay and lesbian activists gathered in the tourist-packed courtyard of one of the world's most famous museums carrying banners and chanting "Homophobia is the country's shame."
Although the rally was not publicly announced, a small group of ultraright activists came to the square attempting to attack the protesters, local media reported, adding that four or five of them were detained.