Protesters hit Russia's ambassador to Poland with red paint

Picture courtesy: Euronews

Russia’s ambassador to Poland has been pelted with red paint thrown at him by people protesting against the war in Ukraine as he went to lay flowers at the Soviet military cemetery in Warsaw on the anniversary of the allied victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.

The protesters carried Ukrainian flags and chanted “fascist” and “murderer” following Russia's invasion of Ukraine on 24 February.

Other activists were dressed in white sheets smeared with blood, symbolising the Ukrainian victims of Russia’s war.

Police arrived at the scene to help the ambassador and other members of his delegation leave.

Andreev told reporters that he and his team were not seriously hurt in the incident, according to the TASS news agency.

The protesters prevented the ambassador from laying flowers at the cemetery and Polish police escorted him away.

Russia’s foreign ministry responded to the incident by demanding Warsaw organise a new wreath-laying ceremony immediately and saying Poland should “ensure complete protection against any provocations”.

Speaking during a trip to Iran, the Polish foreign minister, Zbigniew Rau, said: “It is an incident that should not have happened, an incident that is, by all means, regrettable.” He said diplomats enjoyed special protection regardless of the policies pursued by the authorities of their countries.