Russia accuses US over Navalny protests

Russia has accused the US of "flagrant interference"  after the US Embassy in Moscow put a warning on its website detailing the times and places of opposition rallies in different Russian cities and urging US citizens to avoid them.

Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also accused US-based social networks of spreading fake news about Russia.

"We are now considering possible reaction on the actions of these American internet platforms. This reaction won't be limited to a statement, specific practical actions must be taken," she said.

On Monday, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov lodged a protest with US Ambassador John Sullivan in connection with "social media posts in support of unlawful rallies" by the embassy.

The US State Department Saturday condemned "the use of harsh tactics against protesters and journalists" and, in a statement, urged authorities to release opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, and "all those detained for exercising their universal rights."

Russia's foreign ministry said the statement was "inappropriate."

Mass rallies took place Saturday in over 100 cities in what observers said were the largest in years, and Navalny supporters urged protesters to keep up the pressure.

During Saturday's demonstrations, over 3,700 people were detained, according to OVD-Info, a human rights group that monitors political arrests.

The group said the number was a record in its nine years of work.

More than 1,400 occurred in Moscow alone - also a record, according to Russian media.