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More Russian citizens have been speaking out against the war in Ukraine and over a dozen Russian local government leaders have signed a petition calling for President Putin to resign.

The signatories are putting themselves in danger of imprisonment under laws enacted shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine. They criminalise almost all anti-war dissent and protest.

Ksenia Thorstrom, is a deputy for the Saint Petersburg district of Semyonovski.

She told Newsday why she signed the petition: "We decided we need to show solidarity so that we are not afraid."

Picture: Russian President Vladimir Putin during a Security Council meeting Credit: Gavril Grigorov/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images