Photos show protesters across the world calling on Putin to stand down as Russia continues its assault on Ukraine

Eggs were thrown at the Russian embassy in London

The BBC reported that thousands of people protested in various cities across England on Saturday, including in front of the Russian Embassy and Downing Street in London. 

Protesters chanted “Russia stop the war,” “Putin stop the war,” and “leave Ukraine alone”.

“Today we stand with the President and all of Ukraine’s people as they bravely fight for that future 🇺🇦,” the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also said in a tweet on Saturday.

Russians and Ukrainians at the protest told the BBC they feel helpless. 

Alla, a Russian woman who only gave her first name, told the BBC: “I couldn’t believe it was happening, the feeling of shame, guilt, horror. I felt helpless I didn’t know what to do.”

As of Saturday afternoon over 3,000 Russians were arrested at pro-Ukrainian protests in various cities

OVD-Info, a Russian protest monitoring organization, reported on Twitter that in the three days since Russia invaded Ukraine over 3,000 Russians in multiple cities have been arrested at protests of the invasion. 

—ОВД-Инфо (@OvdInfo) February 26, 2022

 

On Saturday, at least 492 were arrested for supporting Ukraine. At least, 1,967 Russians were detained on Thursday, the first day of protests, and 634 people were detained Friday, the organization reported. 

The Hill reported that Russia has warned its citizens that protesting is illegal and those detained could face harsh consequences. 

Hundreds rallied in front of the White House on Saturday

NBC News reported that protesters in front of the White House in Washington, DC on Saturday called on the US to do more to help Ukraine as it tries to fend off the Russian invasion. 

Tens of thousands gathered in cities all across Europe

Politico reported that protesters took to the streets of many cities across Europe demanding Putin stop the invasion of Ukraine. 

The protests come as Russia continues to attack Ukraine. On Saturday, Ukrainian President Zelensky’s office said Russian forces blew up a gas pipeline in Kharkiv, the Associated Press reported. 

 

Peace activists held a protest in Belgrade, Serbia

While protests were held in Belgrade, Serbia has refused to impose sanctions against Russia, an ally, but has denounced the attack on Ukraine, the AP reported. 

Protesters in Brussels held up signs that read “Russian warship go f**k yourself;” “I’m Russian I stand with Ukraine” and “Adolf Putin”

Protesters in Brussels also gathered outside the Russian embassy. Politico reported that cars passing by honked in support. 

—Suzanne Lynch (@suzannelynch1) February 26, 2022

 

Parisians also called on the invasion to stop

On Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron called on Belarus to order Russian troops to leave the country. 

A statement from Macron’s office denounced “the seriousness of a decision that would authorize Russia to deploy nuclear weapons on Belarusian soil” and told Belarus’ President Alexander Lukashenko, that Belarus should “refuse to be Russia’s vassal and de facto accomplice in the war against Ukraine.

Belarus is a neighbor to Ukraine and one of multiple entry points Russia used to invade the country. 

 

Ukrainians living in Istanbul called on Turkey and other countries to help Ukraine

Dozens of protests in Turkey demanded Russia withdraw from Ukraine on Saturday as well, including expats living in Istanbul who called for international help for Ukraine, the Independent reported. 

 

Protesters in India pressed their government to do more evacuate thousands of mainly Indian students trapped in Ukraine

Protesters also denounced Russia’s aggression, the Associated Press reported. 

This comes as India was one of three countries to abstain from voting on a UN Security Council resolution for Russia to end its invasion.

 

Thousands of miles away, protests also broke out across Latin America

Reuters reported that thousands gathered in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and Peru, chanting “Long live Ukraine” on Friday. 

 

Protesters in Cyprus held signs that read: “#Terrorussia,” “Stop Putin, Stop war,” and “Stop Russian aggression to save Europe’s future”

The Cyprus-Mail reported that over 100 Ukrainians living in the country marched in cities like Limassol and Paphos on Friday.

In Athens, over 2,000 protesters gathered

AFP reported that protesters across various cities in Europe expressed feelings of “powerlessness.”

Protesters called for tougher actions against Putin’s aggression. In one banner seen in Rome, Putin was drawn as caricature as an assassin with bloodstained hands. AFP also reported that he was also compared to Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler in a banner that featured the phrase: “Can you recognize when history repeats itself?”