Russian police detained several gay rights activists in a public courtyard in St Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum, apparently for holding an unsanctioned rally.
Two dozens activists unfurled banners and chanted "Homophobia, the shame of the country" and "Marriage rights without compromises" before police moved in and seized six people, who offered little resistance.
The rally was not announced in advance, but media were tipped off.
Several anti-gay protesters who tried to break up the march were also detained.
Gay rights in Russia are poorly observed, with police often violently dispersing demonstrators and allowing attacks to go unpunished.