Radical Russian art group sets police van on fire

SAINT PETERSBURG (AFP) - A radical Russian art group known for provocative stunts said on Monday it had set a police van alight to create an 'eternal flame' remembering the arrests of opposition figures.

Voina (War) said it had managed to set alight the police van - the same type used to detain protestors after opposition rallies - in Saint Petersburg half an hour before the onset of the New Year on Dec 31.

Footage posted on the Internet showed one of Voina's members, calmly and unhindered, walking up to the police van and setting up fires around its tyres which then sent flames and smoke into the night sky.

Saint Petersburg police confirmed one of their vans had been set on fire at this time, adding that the vehicle suffered damage to its interior but that there were no casualties.