Two countries unite on streets of London to stop ‘Putler’
RUSSIA and Ukraine might be at war in eastern Europe, but on the streets of London people united yesterday, as thousands from both countries protested against Putin’s actions.
The biggest group gathered on Whitehall, creating such a large crowd that it blocked the street, while several hundred more held signs outside the Russian embassy in Kensington Palace Gardens.
People held sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine, and dressed in the yellow and blue colours of the country’s flag. “Russians stand with Ukraine”, read several banners, while dozens of others compared Putin to historical dictators like Stalin. Crowds chanted about stopping “Putler” – a hybrid of “Putin” and “Hitler”.
Russians as well as Ukrainians used the language of the Second World War to describe the invasion. “Zelensky is the Ukrainian Churchill”, said Anya Kirby, 56, who was born in Russia but now lives just north of London.
The close links between people in each country mean the invasion has affected the loved ones of many Russians who were out protesting.
“I don’t want my relatives to die ... I have very good friends in Ukraine who are sheltering underground”, said Carina Cockrell-Ferze, 59, who was born in Russia but now lives in Hertfordshire. “I haven’t slept for three nights.”
Protests outside the Russian embassy attracted several hundred people who lined both sides of the street and blocked one lane of traffic.
Elena Shevchenko, 35, attended the protest holding a blue-and-yellow sign reading “Stop bombing my family”.
She is half-Russian and half-Ukrainian. Her mother lives in Moscow, while her father lives in Kyiv, where he is having to shelter underground away from bombing for most of the day.
Eggs were thrown at the Russian embassy during pro-Ukrainian protests outside the building.
Fake blood and paint were also pelted at the consulate’s walls.
Police were forced to intervene when a violent scuffle almost broke out between a protester and a man holding a Russian flag.
The protester raised a fist and swung her arm towards the man. He put the flag away and left.
No arrests have been made so far.