The only sanctioned area for protests is a stadium on the outskirts of the city.
A reinforced police presence in the city has reportedly detained a number of protesters and Russian activists.
(Reuters, AP, AFP)
G8 Summit: St. Petersburg, July 15-17
SITTING DOWN AT THE TABLE: On July 15-17, Russia hosts the leaders of the Group of Eight (G8) leading industrialized countries in its northern capital, St. Petersburg. The event is a landmark in Russia's reemergence on the international stage after more than a decade of painful transition. In many ways, Russian President Vladimir Putin will be the strongest and most confident of the leaders at the meeting, despite international concerns about the state of Russia's democratic development. Below are links to some of RFE/RL's reporting on the run-up to this major international event.
Confident Kremlin Prepares To Preside Over G8 Summit
G8 Foreign Ministers Meet To Map Out Summit Agenda
Opposition, NGOs Gather Ahead Of G8 Summit
Barroso Calls On G8 To Agree Global Energy Principles
G8 Presidency Spurs 'Exceptional' PR Response
MORE: Follow the coverage of the G8 summit in St. Petersburg in Russian on the website of RFE/RL's Russian Service. An archive of RFE/RL's coverage of Russia in English.