Anti-Russian protests take place around the globe in support of Ukraine

Tens of thousands of people around the world have gathered in support of Ukraine after Russia invaded its neighbor on Thursday.

Ukrainian flags were waved around the world as protesters called on national governments to do more to help Ukraine’s military and its people, who are taking up arms against Russian soldiers in the streets in defense of their country’s independence.

National monuments and iconic buildings were lit up in the colors of the Ukrainian flag this weekend, including Downing Street in London, the Colosseum, Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, Melbourne’s Flinders Train Station and City Hall in Paris.

Vladimir Putin is facing rare public dissent from the Russian people over his invasion of Ukraine, with over 5,500 anti-war protesters arrested as of Sunday in various cities across Russia. About 2,000 of them were arrested on Sunday alone. 

Protests ramped up on Sunday as Putin put his nuclear-armed forces on high alert, prompting outcry from anti-nuclear groups.