A Russian man has set his passport on fire in an extraordinary act of defiance against his home country, as protests against Russia’s devastating military action in Ukraine ramp up around the world.
Former Russian citizen, Andrei, who has been living in Melbourne, burned his passport with a friend during a pro-Ukraine protest in the city attended by thousands.
In the vision posted across social media, Andrei was visibly shaking as pieces of ash fell to the ground outside Treasury Gardens.
Asked by a bystander if he was denouncing Russian President Vladimir Putin he simply said: “Absolutely, yes.”
“Curse him and everything he stands for,” Andrei said.
“I hope he will not live for much longer.”
Furious anti-war protests have unfolded across the world, with thousands taking to city streets in the UK, France, Spain, Germany, Turkey, The Netherlands, Montenegro, Cyprus, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Italy and others.
Many have congregated outside Russian embassies donned in blue and yellow and waving Ukrainian flags as they spouted anti-war and anti-Putin messages.
Protests in dozens of Russian cities also broke out this week, with police detaining at least 1,400 people who shouted angrily for the end of the war.
Similar protests have occurred in Australian cities, but Sunday’s protest in Melbourne has by far been the largest, attracting thousands of people.
People from Victoria’s Ukraine and Russian communities turned up a the rally to show their support, urging world leaders to help Ukraine.
Victorian opposition leader Matthew Guy was also seen marching among the crowd.
Protesters pledged their support for their families and friends back home and called for more support from the Australian Government and other NATO allies.
An organiser of the event called for more military assistance to Ukraine, calling out the lack of action from NATO.
“We’re asking NATO, allied air command to bring their forces, to close the sky above Ukraine,” she said.
“Give us shelter from the sky, save innoxjmtzywcent Ukrainian lives. Missiles are being aimed at apartment buildings in Kyiv targeting innocent civilians.
“We are watching war crimes in real time and the West stands by clutching its pearls and letting it happen.”
Ukraine’s capital Kyiv and other cities have been pounded with artillery and cruise missiles, with an estimated 198 deaths so far and 1000 injured.
In Kyiv, one apartment block was left with a gaping hole after a missile attack, killing two people.
Russia has claimed it is only targeting the military but bridges, schools, kindergartens, neighbourhoods have come under attack.
At least 150,000 Ukrainians have been displaced since the Russian invasion started, with many fleeing into Poland and other neighbouring countries.
The UN Refugee Agency predicts up to 4 million people could flee if the situation deteriorates further.
Hundreds of Ukrainian citizens still in the country have been reported making Molotov cocktails and the Ukrainian government has maintained it will fight off the Russian invasion.
On Sunday Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he would work with the United States and the United Kingdom to provide “lethal aid” to Ukraine.
Australia is also providing cybersecurity support to Ukraine to help defend it from Russian cyber attacks.
Mr Morrison said the government was still considering whether to expel Russia’s ambassador to Australia.
Visa applications from people in Ukraine will also be given the highest priority.
