Protests broke out in Moscow tonight in solidarity with similar demonstrations across the world as the global outcry against Russian president Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine grew louder amid the unfolding crisis.
Pictures showed Russian police clamping down on anti war protesters in the capital, some of whom had to be physically carried away by officers in police uniform. Earlier, a Russian opposition activist who called for anti-war protests told Reuters that she had been detained by police on Thursday.
‘I was detained on my way out of the house,’ Marina Litvinovich, the Moscow-based activist, wrote on Telegram. She confirmed her detention separately in a message to Reuters.
Litvinovich called on Russians earlier to gather in protest in various Russian cities on Thursday evening.
Across Europe and the rest of the world, anti-war activists took to their own streets and gathered outside Russian embassies including those in London, Berlin, Paris, Stockholm, Oslo, Riga, as well as further afield in Tokyo, making their voices heard. Sydney also saw furious protesters calling for an end to the conflict.
Demonstrations were held overnight before war was declared by Russia, and continued into Thursday as Russian tanks rolled towards Kiev. There have been reports of intense fighting and casualties on both sides.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday also called on Ukrainian to ‘go out’ and ‘protest against this war’, after urging Russians to do the same earlier this week in a bid to prevent the invasion.
‘We have severed diplomatic relations with Russia. For all those who have not yet lost their conscience in Russia, it is time to go out and protest against the war with Ukraine,’ he said today.
MOSCOW: Police officers detain a woman during a protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in Moscow on February 24, 2022. Protests broke out in Moscow tonight in solidarity with similar demonstrations across Europe today as the global outcry against Russian president Vladimir Putin ‘s invasion of Ukraine grew louder amid the unfolding crisis
MOSCOW: A person carries a banner during an anti-war protest, after Russia launched a massive military operation against Ukraine, in Moscow, Russia February 24, 2022
MOSCOW: Police officers detain a man during a protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in Moscow on February 24, 2022
MOSCOW: Police officers in masks detain a woman during a protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in Moscow
MOSCOW: A man is detained by three police officers on Thursday night at an anti-war protest
SAINT PETERSBURG: Armoured police gather in a square near demonstrators during an anti-war protest on Thursday night
SAINT PETERSBURG: Police officers detain a woman during a protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in central Saint Petersburg on February 24, 2022
MOSCOW: A woman is marched off by armoured police after joining anti-war protesters in Moscow
MOSCOW: A woman gestures as she is marched off by Russian police officers in Russia’s capital on Tuesday night
MOSCOW: Police block a rout to Red Square ahead of a planned unsanctioned protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
MOSCOW: Police block Red Square ahead of a planned unsanctioned protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in central Moscow on February 24, 2022
Across Europe, people were pictured with placards and megaphones outside Russian embassies, calling for Putin to pull back from Ukraine and stop the war.
A growing group of Ukrainians and Russians united outside of the Russian embassy in Kensington, London, also waving the Ukrainian flag. Last night, a large group gathered there ahead of the invasion.
Another photo taken outside Russia’s diplomatic HQ in Britain showed demonstrators with placards that took aim aim at Putin, including one which depicted him with a Hitler-like moustache.
In Berlin, demonstrators waved Ukrainian flags in front of the Brandenburg Gate on Thursday. Last night, the iconic arch was lit up in Ukraine’s colours.
In Paris, authorities lit City Hall in the same colours to also show their support.
In Stockholm, Sweden, a large group of people were seen in the snow waving the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine while shouting at Russia’s embassy. Their placards called for the end of the war, with one man holding a sign that read ‘hands of Ukraine.’ Another said: ‘Ukraine is forever.’
WARSAW: A demonstrator burns a Russian flag during a protest by Ukrainian and Polish demonstrators against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in front of the Russian embassy, Poland, on February 24, 2022
BERLIN: People take part in an anti-war protest at Brandenburg Gate, after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a military operation in eastern Ukraine, Germany February 24, 2022. Protests have broken out across Europe as the global outcry against Russian president Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine grows louder amid the unfolding deadly crisis
LONDON: Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Holy Family of London Kenneth Nowakowski (centre) joins Ukrainians holding a protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine outside Downing Street, central London. Picture date: Thursday February 24, 2022
EDINBURGH: People take part in ‘Stand with Ukraine’ public demonstration outside the Russian Consulate General in Edinburgh, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Thursday
OLSO: Ukrainian Olga Lietnieva, on holidays in Norway, is wrapped in the Ukrainian flag and cries as she attends a demonstration against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022
PARIS: A woman reacts during a demonstration of Ukrainian citizens against Russia’s military operation in Ukraine in front of the Russian embassy in Paris on February 24, 2022
STOCKHOLM: Protesters gather during a rally against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in front of the Russian Embassy, Sweden February 24, 2022
WARSAW: Ukrainian and Polish demonstrators protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in front of Russian embassy, Poland, on February 24, 2022
MADRID: A Ukrainian man waves a European Union flag as a Spanish woman holds a placard while protesting in front of the Russian Embassy, after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised a military operation in eastern Ukraine, Spain
RIGA: People protest against Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, outside the Russian Embassy, Latvia, 24 February 2022
TALLINN:Demonstrators protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022 in front of the Russian Embassy
TOKYO: Japanese and Ukrainian protesters attend a rally against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Japan, February 24, 2022
SYDNEY: People chant, carry placards and wave Ukrainian flags as they gather in Australia, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022, to demonstrate against Russian attacks in Ukraine
BERLIN: A demonstrator holding images taken in Kharkiv and published by Anadolu Agency during a protest held near Brandenburg gate against Russia’s full-scale military intervention in Ukraine, on February 24, 2022, Germany
BERLIN: People attend a pro-Ukraine protest rally in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022 after Russian troops have launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine
BERLIN: People attend a pro-Ukraine protest rally in front of the Brandenburg Gate on Thursday
BERLIN: People wave Ukrainian flags during a protest at Brandenburg Gate, after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a military operation in eastern Ukraine, in Berlin, Germany February 24, 2022
BERLIN: Demonstrators hold signs during an anti-war protest at Brandenburg Gate, after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a military operation in eastern Ukraine, Germany February 24, 2022
PARIS: Demonstrators take part in an anti-war protest in front of the Russian embassy, after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a military operation in eastern Ukraine, France, February 24, 2022
PARIS: Ukrainian citizens protest against Russia’s military operation in Ukraine in front of the Russian embassy in Paris on February 24, 2022
PARIS: A woman with her face painted with the slogan ‘Peace’ takes part in an anti-war protest in front of the Russian embassy in Paris, after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a military operation in eastern Ukraine, France, February 24, 2022
PARIS: Demonstrators take part in an anti-war protest in front of the Russian embassy in Paris, after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a military operation in eastern Ukraine, France, February 24, 2022
Berlin, which represented the front line during the Cold War until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, was sending a clear signal for a free and sovereign Ukraine, said its government.
‘We are showing our solidarity with the people of Ukraine, the many Berliners with Ukrainian roots but also with the many Russians who want peace in Russia and Ukraine,’ Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey said in a statement.
‘They all want nothing more than an end to the escalation and a peaceful settlement to this threatening conflict,’ she added.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, also a candidate in France’s upcoming presidential election, said earlier on Wednesday ‘once again, the spectre of war looms on Europe’s doorstep.’
LONDON: Ela Czuruk from Ukraine seen outside the Russian Embassy. Russians and Ukrainians unite in protest outside the Russian Embassy in London over Putins attack on the Ukraine. February 24 2022
LONDON: Russians and Ukrainians unite in protest outside the Russian Embassy over Putins attack on the Ukraine
LONDON: Ukrainians hold a protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine outside Downing Street, central London
LONDON: People hold placards outside Downing Street in London on Thursday as troops roll into Ukraine
LONDON: A Ukrainian woman holds a placard thanking Western allies for supporting Ukraine
LONDON: Russians and Ukrainians unite in protest outside the Russian Embassy in London over Putin’s attack on the Ukraine. February 24 2022
EDINBURGH: People take part in ‘Stand with Ukraine’ public demonstration outside the Russian Consulate General in Edinburgh, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine
EDINBURGH: People take part in ‘Stand with Ukraine’ public demonstration outside the Russian Consulate General in Edinburgh, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Picture date: Thursday February 24, 2022
Ukrainian national Ela Czuruk fought back tears as she told of her fears for family back home during a protest outside the Russian Embassy in London on Thursday.
Ela called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the invasion immediately and stop any further bloodshed.
She said: ‘We are deeply concerned because our families are back there, so we came to the Russian embassy to express our concern, to show our support to Ukrainians who are back home.
‘We don’t want anyone to die. We don’t want anymore casualties. We don’t want any more deaths.’
Russian national Anna, who also attended the protest, said: ‘As a Russia citizen, I am here to protest against these actions. This morning I woke up with tears in my eyes. I don’t know what to do, but I really want to do something.’
Across the border in Scotland, Ukrainian people and their supporters protested outside the Russian embassy in Edinburgh, also waving the blue and yellow for Ukraine.
WARSAW: A woman holds a placard reading ‘Hands off Ukraine’ as another demonstrator displays a flag of Europe during a protest of Ukrainian and Polish demonstrators against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in front of Russian embassy in Warsaw, Poland, on February 24, 2022
WARSAW: People hold placards reading ‘Solidarity with Ukraine’ and ‘No more war’ as Ukrainian and Polish demonstrators protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in front of Russian embassy, Poland, on February 24, 2022
STOCKHOLM: People protest against Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, outside the Russian Embassy, Sweden
OSLO: People participate in a demonstration in front of the Russian embassy following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in Oslo, Norway, February 24, 2022
OSLO: People, both Russians and Ukrainians, gather to protest against Russian invasion on Ukraine in front of the Russian embassy in Oslo, Norway, 24 February 2022
COPENHAGEN: A woman with the Ukraine flag takes part in a demonstration in front of the Russian Embassy in Copenhagen on February 23, 2022, to show support for Ukraine
Protests were also seen in countries bordering Ukraine, who will also be concerned about Putin’s future ambitions of expansion in the region.
In Poland’s Warsaw capital, people waves Ukrainian and European Union flags, as well as placards pleading for peace in the country with which it shares a south-eastern border.
The protests came as Central European countries braced on Thursday for the arrival of refugees fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with Poland setting up reception points on its border and Hungary and Slovakia planning to send troops to manage the likely influx.
The countries on the European Union’s eastern flank were all once part of the Moscow-led Warsaw Pact and are now members of NATO. Among them, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania all share land borders with Ukraine.
NATO member Lithuania, which has borders with Russian ally Belarus and Russia’s exclave of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea, has declared a state of emergency effective early Thursday afternoon due to the situation in Ukraine.
The decree signed Thursday by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda steps up border protection. It gives authorities, among other things, the right to check and inspect vehicles, persons and luggage in the border area.
Lithuania also borders fellow NATO and European Union members Poland and Latvia.
Protesters also took to the streets of Riga, Latvia today. One person held up an image of Putin made to look like Adolf Hitler, drawing comparisons to the Russian leader’s actions and those seen during the Second World War.
RIGA: A person holds a placard showing Vladimir Putin dressed as Adolf Hitler as people protest against Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, outside the Russian Embassy, Latvia, 24 February 2022
RIGA: People protest against Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, outside the Russian Embassy, Latvia, 24 February 2022
RIGA: People protest against Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, outside the Russian Embassy in Riga, Latvia, 24 February 2022. One woman holds up a sign that reads ‘Stop Russian aggression’
TOKYO: A man takes part in a protest against Russia’s actions in Ukraine during a rally at Shibuya district in Tokyo on February 24, 2022
TOKYO: A child holds a slogan stop war during a protest against Russia’s actions in Ukraine during a rally at Shibuya district in Tokyo on February 24, 2022
TOKYO: Protesters attend a rally against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in Tokyo, Japan, February 24, 2022
MELBOURNE: A person takes a photo of Flinders Street Station lit in yellow and blue in Melbourne on February 24, 2022, as public buildings lit up in the national colours of Ukraine as a show of support
SYDNEY: A protestor takes pictures with her mobile phone as she holds national flags of Australia and Ukraine during a protest rally to condemn the Russian military action against Ukraine in Sydney on February 24, 2022
Last night, many held placards that mocked and criticised Russia’s president for his aggressive posturing, while many others pleaded for war to be avoided – despite the worrying signs that a conflict could be on the way.
In Berlin, demonstrators waved Ukrainian flags in front of the Brandenburg Gate, which was lit up in the country’s colours.
In Copenhagen, scores held an enormous Ukrainian flag aloft as others massed with banners in front of the Russian embassy.
In Paris, the city hall was lit up with the yellow and blue of the Ukrainian flag as the city’s mayor Anne Hidalgo stood outside it flanked by the Ukrainian ambassador to France Vadym Omelchenko.
In Berlin, demonstrators waved Ukrainian flags in front of the Brandenburg Gate. The global show of support for Ukraine was taking place as U.S. President Joe Biden warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of an ‘imminent’ attack by Putin’s troops in the next 48 hours
A demonstrator holds a placard saying ‘Ukraine will never surrender’ as he attends a protest outside the Russian Embassy, in London on Wednesday night
Another photo taken outside Russia’s diplomatic HQ in Britain showed demonstrators with placards that took aim aim at Putin, including one which depicted him with a Hitler-like moustache
In Paris, the city hall was lit up with the yellow and blue of the Ukrainian flag as the city’s mayor Anne Hidalgo stood outside it flanked by the Ukrainian ambassador to France Vadym Omelchenko
In Tokyo, children were pictured holding banners that read ‘Stand with Ukraine’ as others called for the world to ‘Stop Putin’.
Images also showed similar demonstrations in other cities, including Stockholm in Sweden, Kathmandu in Nepal and Warsaw in Poland.
There were reportedly more than 1,000 protesters at last night’s demonstration in London. Some were heard shouting ‘Old man take your meds!’ and ‘Putin hands off Ukraine’.
They also held other signs aloft, including one that read ‘Love Ukraine’ and another saying ‘Ukrainians will resist’.
One woman held a placard that read ‘Putin kills’ alongside a mocked up radioactive warning sign – an apparent reference to Russia’s huge stockpile of nuclear weapons.
In Russia, more than 150 senior Russian officials signed an open letter condemning Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine as ‘an unprecedented atrocity’ and warning of ‘catastrophic consequences’.
The deputies said they were ‘convinced’ Russian citizens do not back the war and blamed Putin ‘personally’ for ordering troops into Ukraine in an attack ‘for which there is no and cannot be justification’.