The Ukrainian embassy in Ireland has reacted with horror to a Russian car convoy in support of the war that took place in Dublin, describing it as "disgusting disrespect".
A rally of cars sporting Russian flags marked with the pro-war 'Z' letter were filmed on what is believed to be the M50 motorway, with footage coming to light over the weekend.
It is understood that the fleet of vehicles started the organised rally from near Dublin Airport on Sunday afternoon. Some of the cars had the letter ‘Z’ written across the windows, Extra.ie reports.
The footage was shared by the Ukrainian embassy who denounced the ‘disgusting disrespect’ against the ‘Irish people who stand against Russia’s war on Ukraine’.
The video seems to have come from a private Russian Facebook group with around 19,500 members. The group says it is for Russians in Ireland who are standing against censorship.
The Ukrainian embassy wrote on Twitter: "It’s absolutely disgusting that these Russians living in Ireland demonstrate their complete disrespect for country of residence and the Irish people who stand against Russia’s war in Ukraine.
"‘'Z', the symbol of killings & atrocities, must be prohibited by law in every democratic state."
The 'Z' symbol has been used on Russian tanks and military vehicles coming into Ukraine and become a symbol of the invasion.
Some of the cars also had the Irish flags, which riled some people who were outraged at the linking of the two countries in such a public way.
One Twitter user wrote: "Despicable. These fools don’t deserve to live on Irish soil." Another replied to the Embassy’s tweet: "They fly the tricolour in unison with the flag that conducts genocide in Ukraine. Get t’f***."
A third said: "Absolutely disgusting to see our tricolour displayed with the ‘Z’ symbol. What a pathetic limp show of force by Putins Puppets. The Irish People have shown who they stand beside Slava Ukraini!"
Another added: "No Irish flag should be flying here. This is a horrendous act." However, others took a more liberal stance saying while they did not agree with it, the Russians had a right to hold their rally.
One person wrote: "As Voltaire didn’t say. 'I don’t agree with what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.' We’re lucky to live in a country where people can say and believe in what they want no matter how much we disapprove."
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