Group Of Exiled Russian Public Figures Creates Anti-War Committee
Police detain a demonstrator holding up a sign saying, "No war with Ukraine," during an unsanctioned anti-war protest in Pushkin Square in central Moscow on 24 February.
A group of well-known, exiled Russian public figures have created an Anti-War Committee to hold Russian President Vladimir Putin and other officials responsible after they unleashed a "fratricidal war" against Ukraine last week.
Former tycoon and opposition politician Mikhail Khodorkovsky announced the creation of the group, which also includes, among others, ex-world chess champion Garry Kasparov, opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, exiled former lawmaker Dmitry Gudkov, and leading economist Sergei Guriyev.
In a statement late on February 27, the group called on the world community to "take a principal position towards violators of the international law," adding that every person involved in Russia's invasion of Ukraine last week must be held responsible for their actions.
"Direct participants of the invasion, such as the generals and political leadership of Russia who outlined the plan of the invasion, must be recognized as war criminals and face punishment for their deeds," the statement says.
The statement also says that "there is a clear difference between Russians, who have been dragged against their will into Putin's adventurous policies, and those who willingly assist Putin's regime in the ongoing fratricidal war."
"Being Russian citizens...we bear moral responsibility for failing to prevent the war, for allowing the treacherous attack of the Russian troops on a neighboring country," the statement says.
"The Anti-War Committee calls on all real patriots of Russia to consolidate against the aggressive dictatorship of Vladimir Putin despite any kind of political disputes, ideological differences, and personal sympathies or antipathies," the statement adds.
Protests against Russia's invasion of Ukraine have been held in Russian towns and cities since the first day of the attack, February 24. Almost 6,000 demonstrators have been detained since then.
Protests Erupt Around The Globe Against Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine
1/24A woman with fake blood on her face reacts during a demonstration staged by supporters of Ukraine outside the Russian Embassy in Mexico City on February 26.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
2/24A demonstrator burns her Russian passport in front of the Russian Embassy in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv on February 24.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
4/24Demonstrators in Berlin demand that Russia be disconnected from the SWIFT financial system on February 25. A group of Western nations led by the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom have agreed to block access for "selected" Russian banks to SWIFT.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
5/24Demonstrators in Frankfurt, Germany, on February 26.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
6/24People hold banners as they attend an anti-war protest outside the Russian Embassy in Bogata, Colombia.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
7/24A demonstrator holds a sign while protesting during a rally in Geneva on February 26.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
8/24Tens of thousands gathered in protest in Prague on February 27.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
9/24Ukrainian women dressed as bloodied brides and people holding placards take part in a protest outside the Russian Embassy in Mexico City on February 26.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
10/24An anti-war protest outside the Russian Embassy in Mexico City on February 26.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
11/24An anti-war protest outside the Russian Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica, on February 26.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
12/24A protest in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on February 26. The banner reads: Russia, Stop Putin.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
13/24A protest near the Russian Embassy in Seoul on February 27.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
15/24Protesters at a pro-Ukraine rally in Bucharest on February 26.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
16/24A girl holds a drawing as anti-war demonstrators protest in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on February 25.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
17/24A protester holds a picture of Russian President Vladimir Putin in which he resembles Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler in Rome on February 25.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
18/24A demonstrator holds a sign that reads "Glory to Ukraine" while protesting in Buenos Aires on February 25.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
19/24An anti-war protest in Budapest on February 26.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
20/24A Ukrainian woman living in Turkey weeps during a protest in Ankara on February 26.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
21/24A protester holds a placard in Sarajevo on February 25.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
22/24A woman tries to comfort a crying child as Ukrainian nationals living in Malta, along with Maltese supporters, attend a protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine in Valletta on February 26.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
23/24Family and friends of Indian students stuck in Ukraine protest near the Russian Embassy in New Delhi on February 25.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
24/24An anti-war protest in London on February 26.
Thousands have taken to the streets in countries around the world in support of Ukraine, which is facing the fourth day of an all-out invasion by Russia forces.
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