Protests mar Russian ambassador's Victory Day wreath-laying in Warsaw
9 May 2024 12:53
The Russian ambassador, Sergei Andreev, arrived at the Soviet Soldiers' Mausoleum Cemetery in Warsaw to lay a wreath on Victory Day. Upon his arrival, he encountered shouts from Ukrainian women protesting the Russian assault on their country.
According to reports by the PAP news agency, in the Ochota district of Warsaw, at the Soviet Soldiers' Mausoleum Cemetery, a group of Ukrainian women awaited the arrival of Russian Ambassador Sergei Andreev. The women, clad in white clothing marked with red paint, displayed the names of Ukrainian cities on their attire. Upon the ambassador's arrival, they began to shout, voicing their protest against Russia's aggression towards Ukraine.
The protest was organized by "Euromaidan Warsaw" activists. "The purpose of the action is to remind the Russian ambassador, who annually lays flowers at the cemetery, of Russia's actions in Ukraine. The protest features Ukrainian women in white dresses bearing the names of deceased soldiers and cities that have been destroyed or occupied. Included among the protesters are wives who have lost their husbands in the fight for Ukraine's freedom," Belsat reported.
Altercations at the cemetery and bones scattered on the steps
Another incident took place at the Soviet Soldiers' Mausoleum Cemetery on Thursday. According to Belsat, scuffles broke out between journalists and the Russian ambassador Sergei Andreev's entourage. "Individuals donning vests labeled «Political Formation Front» were seen pushing journalists away from the monument and Andreev, acting as 'personal protection,'" Belsat reported through the X portal.
Earlier, the station had reported that unknown individuals had spilled blood and scattered bones on the steps near the monument.
Source: PAP, Belsat, X