A Russian opposition leader says he has been sentenced to community service on charges of beating a pro-Kremlin activist, which he has denied.

Left Front leader Sergei Udaltsov said the court in the Volga River city of Ulyanovsk ruled Wednesday that he must do 240 hours of community service.

Anna Pozdnyakova, a 20 year old activist of the Young Guard pro-Kremlin youth movement, said Udaltsov hit her during an April rally. Udaltsov pleaded not guilty and said on Twitter that he would appeal the results of the "shameful" trial.

The 35-year old Udaltsov has been at the forefront of protests against President Vladimir Putin. He has been arrested more than 100 times and spent months in prison. Udaltsov also launched numerous hunger strikes and spent weeks in hospitals.