It comes as Russia celebrates Victory Day
The Russian ambassador to Poland has been attacked with red paint by a crowd who shouted “fascist” at him.
Sergey Andreyev was attending an event honouring Soviet soldiers killed during World War Two as Russia celebrates Victory Day to commemorate its victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.
Andreyev was reportedly trying to lay a wreath at the Mausoleum of Soviet Soldiers in Warsaw.
But he was left covered in red paint by the angry crowd surrounding him who were protesting against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Footage of the incident was shared on Twitter by user @Exen.
Russian ambassador in Warsaw covered in red paint, crowd shouting "fascists, fascists!" pic.twitter.com/aZcBbjSnA5
— Exen ?? (@Exen) May 9, 2022
Other clips online show the aftermath, with Andreyev stood in front of cameras humiliated.
The Russian ambassador to Poland was attacked while trying to lay a wreath at the cemetery of Soviet soldiers in Warsaw
He was all covered in red paint. pic.twitter.com/dTi5Fq037k
— Anonymous Operations (@AnonOpsSE) May 9, 2022
Poland has been at the forefront of efforts to help Ukrainians fleeing their country following Putin’s invasion.
Many protestors were waving Ukraine flags to show their support for the war-torn country.
In a television address to his country on Victory Day, Putin said that Russia had invaded Ukraine because the west was “preparing for an invasion of our country.”
He said: “Nato is actively pursuing our territory. That is absolutely unacceptable to us.”
The Russian president repeated unfounded claims that troops were fighting against neo-Nazis in Ukraine.
“We are talking about neo-Nazis in Ukraine that the US and its partners are working with,” he alleged.
“Ukraine is receiving the most modern weaponry from Nato. The decision for this special military operation was forced and was the only correct decision.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin says NATO were "openly preparing another punitive operation" in Ukraine's Donbas region and says there is an "unacceptable threat to us right at our borders".
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His words come as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky warns that “evil has been reborn” in Europe 77 years after the defeat of Nazi Germany.
These sentiments were echoed by defense secretary Ben Wallace who said that Russia is “mirroring the fascism and tyranny of 70 years ago, repeating the errors of last century’s totalitarian regimes.”
Those who commit atrocities in Ukraine should know "their actions are not without consequence", says Defence Secretary Ben Wallace – adding 'we are watching and we are recording'.
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Victory Day is hugely symbolic for Russia. An estimated 27,000,000 Soviet citizens died in World War Two, which is known as the Great Patriotic War in Russia.
Under Putin, the day has become an opportunity for Russia to show its military strength and a massive parade involving troops and military hardware takes place through Red Square in Moscow every year.
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