‘Traitor’ Kremlin MPS decry war

A GROUP of Russian lawmakers staged a rare protest when they interrupted a local governor’s speech to denounce Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

The politicians were rebuked as “traitors” by Oleg Kozhemyako, the governor of Primorsky, after one of them rose from his seat and called for the end of the war while the governor was presenting an annual report.

“Almost three months since the start of the military operation has shown that it is impossible to succeed with military means,” Leonid Vasyukevich said during the local parliamentary meeting in Vladivostok on Russia’s Pacific coast.

The speaker interjected, telling the politicians the matter was not on the agenda but Mr Vasyukevich, a communist lawmaker, continued: “Further actions will mean more dead and injured soldiers.

“We demand an immediate withdrawal of the Russian troops.”

The petition that he read out was signed by four communist politicians.

Mr Kozhemyako got them kicked out and said the deputies were “smearing the Russian army and our defenders who are fighting Nazis. Traitors!”