Greenpeace Goal: Have Events Shifted Focus?

When Greenpeace activists attempted to board an offshore oil platform they wanted to highlight what they see as the potential ecological disaster of Arctic Ocean oil drilling, but it was the hardline stance of the Russian authorities that got them noticed.

As members of the so-called Arctic 30 were being released on bail from detention in St Petersburg, the environment movement said the protest has significantly raised the profile of group and the issues they campaign on.

As well as reporting a huge increase in membership inquiries and donations, Greenpeace says more than two million people have now signed a petition calling for the activists to be freed - its fastest-ever growing petition.

The organisation's UK executive director John Sauven admits that putting the protesters behind bars gave the cause far more impetus than the initial protest itself.

Russian Security Services Seize Arctic Sunrise

The protesters were arrested after Russian authorities seized their boat

"We didn't actually aim to get the Arctic 30 into the nick and I think all of them would have preferred their freedom rather than to spend two months in prison," he told Sky News.

"But there is no doubt it raised people's awareness about what is happening in the Arctic, that threats from the oil industry that want to drill in the Arctic are such that people globally are much more aware and I think this is quite important."

But Nina Gold, the partner of Frank Hewetson - one of the protesters bailed by the Russian courts - told Sky News that the use of direct action has to be carefully considered.

Activist Frank Hewetson is one of the Britons who have been bailed

"I believe he is working for a good cause and is trying to do what he thinks is right and I do think that direct action protest can help but you have to consider the consequences quite carefully," she said.

"My campaign is to ensure that Frank and the other 29 people are released, and actually get home - that's the campaign I'm interested in at the moment."

Greenpeace hailed Thursday as "historic", when the rights of the Arctic 30 were upheld by an international court of law.

Activists Mr Hewetson, Iain Rogers, Alexandra Harris and Anthony Perrett, and journalist Kieron Bryan were the first of six Britons to be freed on bail. Three Russian nationals were freed on Monday.

The sixth Briton, Philip Ball, has been granted bail, but is yet to be freed.

Journalist Kieron Bryon enjoys daylight again as he is released on bail

Speaking after his release, Mr Bryan told Sky News it felt "very, very good" to be free.

"It's good to be outside and see the sky for the first time for a while," he said.

"To everyone who's supported me and the rest of the group: Keep fighting, we're not free yet, this is first step. It's a glimmer of justice, but it's not finished."

He said being imprisoned had been "tough" and that he was looking forward to "a long shower", "never doing another Sudoku puzzle again" and "an improved diet".

Mr Rogers told Sky News: "It's lovely (to be out). It's been pretty traumatic, but it's good for the campaign.

"I think Gazprom have given us the ideal opportunity and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart for publicising our campaign to stop drilling in the Arctic so much."