Thousands took to the streets in cities across Russia on January 23 as part of demonstrations organized by supporters of jailed opposition figure Alexei Navalny. Rebecca Ross, spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Moscow tweeted: "Russian authorities (are) arresting peaceful protesters, journalists – appears to be (a) concerted campaign to suppress free speech." Maria Vladimirovna Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, asked the U.S. side why they had specific information of "protest routes." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation made a statement on its website, firmly opposing the U.S. embassy meddling in its domestic affairs.