A group of masked men have attacked a government building in the outskirts of Moscow in protest at plans to build a highway through a local forest.

Some 100 protesters threw Molotov cocktails and fireworks at the city hall in Khimki and chanted “Save Russia’s forests.”

No-one was arrested at the scene but police later arrested nine environmentalists living in the trees.

The planned Moscow-St Petersburg tollway will wind through Khimki forest in a bid to cut congestion.

Authorities say an improved road network will be a boost to the economy.

Russia’s Supreme Court has ruled that the decision to build the road is legal.

It is set to open in 2015.

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