Further ‘Stand with Ukraine’ protests planned in London as invasion continues

Further “Stand with Ukraine” protests are planned in London this weekend as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues.

A rally is due to take place at Downing Street at midday on Saturday 25 February, continuing the protests seen in the capital since Russian troops began their offensive.

Around 500 people, a large number of those Ukranian, took to the street outside Downing Street for hours on Thursday afternoon, calling for harsher sanctions.

One of those present, Olga Smith, told The Big Issue spoke of concern for her family still in Ukraine.

“This morning I was woken up by their call about the bombing of the city. This insanity has to be stopped,” she said.

The crowd also included Russians, there to show solidarity with their neighbours and join the calls for harsher action from the UK, EU, and USA.

Saturday’s protest is also organised by the group London Euromaidan – made up of Ukranians living in London and named for the protest movement that swept Ukraine in 2014.

As Russian troops close in on Kyiv, residents have been seeking safety in bomb shelters, while the government has handed out 18,000 machine guns to volunteers willing to defend the city.

British prime minister Boris Johnson last night outlined the “largest set of sanctions ever”, including an asset freeze on the Russian bank VTB.