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Protests Erupt In Russia, Worldwide Against Moscow's Invasion Of Ukraine

Updated
Demonstrators in Tel Aviv attend a rally in support of Ukraine after Russia launched a massive military operation against its neighbor.
Demonstrators in Tel Aviv attend a rally in support of Ukraine after Russia launched a massive military operation against its neighbor.

Protests erupted in Russia and around the globe on February 26, with thousands taking to the streets in support of Ukraine, which is facing the third day of an all-out invasion of Russia forces.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanked Russians who have opposed the war that their president, Vladimir Putin, has ordered on their neighboring country and urged them to call for an end to the invasion.

"I want the people of Russia to hear me," he said in a video address. "Absolutely everyone."

"[There are] thousands of dead [Russian] soldiers, hundreds of prisoners of war who don’t understand why they sent them to Ukraine, sent them to Ukraine to die and kill others. The sooner you tell your leaders that the war needs to be immediately stopped, the more your soldiers will survive."

Protests Erupt Around The Globe Against Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine

A 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.
1/24 A 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.
A demonstrator burns her Russian passport in front of the Russian Embassy in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv on February 24.
2/24 A 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.
3/24
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.
Demonstrators 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.
4/24 Demonstrators 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.
Demonstrators in Frankfurt, Germany, on February 26.
5/24 Demonstrators 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.
People hold banners as they attend an anti-war protest outside the Russian Embassy in Bogata, Colombia.
6/24 People 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.
A demonstrator holds a sign while protesting during a rally in Geneva on February 26.
7/24 A 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.
Tens of thousands gathered in protest in Prague on February 27.
8/24 Tens 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.
Ukrainian women dressed as bloodied brides and people holding placards take part in a protest outside the Russian Embassy in Mexico City on February 26.
9/24 Ukrainian 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.
An anti-war protest outside the Russian Embassy in Mexico City on February 26.
10/24 An 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.
An anti-war protest outside the Russian Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica, on February 26.
11/24 An 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.
A protest in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on February 26. The banner reads: Russia, Stop Putin.
12/24 A 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.
A protest near the Russian Embassy in Seoul on February 27.
13/24 A 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.
A rally in Tokyo on February 26.
14/24 A rally in Tokyo 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.
Protesters at a pro-Ukraine rally in Bucharest on February 26.
15/24 Protesters 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.
A girl holds a drawing as anti-war demonstrators protest in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on February 25.
16/24 A 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.
A protester holds a picture of Russian President Vladimir Putin in which he resembles Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler in Rome on February 25.
17/24 A 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.
A demonstrator holds a sign that reads "Glory to Ukraine" while protesting in Buenos Aires on February 25.
18/24 A 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.
An anti-war protest in Budapest on February 26.
19/24 An 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.
A Ukrainian woman living in Turkey weeps during a protest in Ankara on February 26.
20/24 A 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.
A protester holds a placard in Sarajevo on February 25.
21/24 A 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.
A 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.
22/24 A 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.
Family and friends of Indian students stuck in Ukraine protest near the Russian Embassy in New Delhi on February 25.
23/24 Family 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.
An anti-war protest in London on February 26.
24/24 An 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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He singled out several prominent Russians to thank and also praised the "thousands" of Russian citizens who have called for an end to the war.

The independent OVD-Info monitor that keeps tracks of arrests during protests said that more than 3,000 people had been arrested in Russia in protests related to the invasion, including 467 who were detained on February 26 in 34 cities.

Outside Russia, protest rallies increased as Russian troops moved in closer to Kyiv in what could be the final battle for Ukraine following Putin’s order to invade.

In the former Soviet republic of Georgia, about 30,000 people hit the streets of the capital, Tbilisi, holding Georgian and Ukrainian flags and singing both countries' national anthems.

Georgia, like Ukraine, is facing a Russia-backed separatist movement following a brief war with Russia in 2008. Moscow-backed forces have since held the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Thousands Of Georgians Protest Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine
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Thousands Of Georgians Protest Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine
by RFE/RL

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"We have sympathy for the Ukrainians, perhaps more than other countries, because we've experienced Russia's barbaric aggression on our soil," 32-year-old taxi driver Niko Tvauri told AFP.

Teacher Meri Tordia added: "Ukraine is bleeding [and] the world watches and talks about sanctions that won't stop Putin."

In Tehran, a small protest gathering was held outside the Ukrainian Embassy where people chanted “Death To Putin,” according to amateur videos posted online. Some were carrying candles and the Ukrainian flag.

The Iranian government has not endorsed the Russian invasion but has blamed alleged “NATO provocations” for the crisis.

Tehran has said that war is not the solution to the crisis.

In Switzerland -- which often prides itself on its neutral stance in conflicts -- thousands of people gathered across the country, including about 1,000 outside the UN's European headquarters in Geneva.

Protesters carrying Ukraine's national colors of blue and yellow marched to the Broken Chair -- a large sculpture symbolizing the civilian victims of war.

They demanded tougher actions from the Swiss government, which has not yet imposed strict measures against Russia, so far sticking to its traditional stance of not taking sides.

Protests with crowds numbering into the low thousands were seen in many other countries, including in Russia's neighbor Finland, where thousands of people gathered in the capital, Helsinki, shouting, "Russia out! Down with Putin!"

Around 3,000 people gathered in Vienna, with signs that said "Stop The War" and speeches from Austria's Ukrainian community.

In Britain, hundreds of protesters headed to Russia's embassy in London, with some defacing the street sign of St. Petersburg Place opposite the embassy with fake blood.

In Rome, protesters responded to a call of trade unions and nongovernmental organizations and gathered around a podium with the words "Against War."

The night before, thousands had taken part in a torchlit procession to the Italian capital’s famed Colosseum.

Protests were also seen in places as diverse as Israel, France, Greece, Argentina, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, and Taiwan.

In Montreal, dozens of demonstrators braved a snowstorm to protest outside Russia's consulate.

"I am against this war. I hope this is the beginning of the end of this regime," Russian Elena Lelievre, a 37-year-old engineer, told AFP.

With reporting by RFE/RL’s Ukrainian, Russian, and Georgian services, AFP, and AP
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