Police in Russia have detained hundreds of protesters and some journalists at anti-corruption demonstrations in cities across the country on Russia’s national day. The protests were organized by opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was detained in Moscow as he left his home to try to join a demonstration in the capital. VOA’s Moscow Correspondent Daniel Schearf reports that the White House condemned the detentions and said it is monitoring the situation.

More than 1,000 people have been arrested during massive anti-corruption protests across Russia. Among those detained was opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, who called for the rallies to move closer to the Kremlin than was permitted. Thousands of young supporters answered his call, overshadowing Russia Day festivities in Moscow. Al Jazeera’s Rory Challands reports from the capital, Moscow.