Demonstrators hold placards at a protest rally in central London on February 26, 2022
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Demonstrations have taken place across the UK with thousands of Britons protesting against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In London, thousands gathered outside Downing Street to show their support for Ukraine.
Many also massed outside in the Russian embassy in Kensington, chanting “Putin stop the war”.
Helena Kovalenko, 33, originally from northern Ukraine, said she was angry at Vladimir Putin’s invasion of her homeland.
She said: "I have family there, my mum and dad, and I’m so scared for them.”
The walls around the embassy were also covered in chalk messages, drawings of the Ukrainian flag and fake blood.
Many protesters were draped in the Ukrainian flag, while others held placards calling for the war to end.
London #StandWithUkraine protest outside Downing Street is huge now. Thousands on both sides of the road. pic.twitter.com/Y55J3ZgZtQ
— James Bickerton (@JBickertonUK) February 26, 2022
Similar protests also took place in Manchester, Edinburgh, and Bristol, with anger directed against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
One woman who spoke at the rally in Manchester said her mother was Russian and her father was Ukrainian.
She said she had seen on the news that a missile had hit an apartment building in the district of Kyiv where she grew up.
She told the crowd: "It’s happening now and you will be next eventually.
"Kyiv is three hours’ flight from Manchester. It is Europe, we are a democratic, peaceful country.
"Why do we have war? It’s only because of Putin, who is a complete nut job."
In Ireland, angry protesters also confronted a car carrying the Russian ambassador.
In Russia, approximately 1,7000 anti-war protesters have been arrested by the police across 54 cities.
