About two thousand people, mostly from neighboring countries, were detained by police in the center of St. Petersburg on New Year's Eve. This was reported by "Fontanka" with reference to the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The press service told the publication that on New Year's Eve, for the safety of people, to avoid crowding and possible incidents, approaches to Palace Square were limited.

«As a result of the audit, numerous violations of migration legislation were revealed, for which administrative measures were taken», - said the police.

Videos showing security forces detaining people in Moscow also appeared on the SOTA telegram channel. The Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the capital did not report any arrests.