A small group of Russians held a peaceful protest against the war in Ukraine outside the Russian embassy in Nicosia on Wednesday afternoon, on the occasion of Ukraine’s Independence Day.

The protesters held banners reading, among other things, “6 months of war”, “Russia bombs Ukraine”, “Save Azov” and “Stop nuclear blackmail”.

They also carried Russian flags with only white and blue colours, while the red colour was absent as a protest against the country’s invasion of Ukraine in February.

A representative for the protesters told the Cyprus News Agency they were “Russians who are against the war” and were protesting against “the aggressive policy of the Russian Federation and Putin”.

He added that the Ukrainian community in Cyprus maintains friendly relations with them and “we hope they win” the war.

Meanwhile, several Russians in Limassol also protested against the war in Ukraine outside their country’s consulate.