Ukrainians, Russians in Australia unite against Putin’s war

A Russian man burns his passport during a protest in Sydney [Steven Saphore/AFP]
Ukrainian and Russian communities in Australia have come together in outcry since Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine. Protests have taken place across Australia, gathering crowds of Ukrainians and supporters. As Russian forces close in on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, many in Australia feel helpless in the face of a military offensive so significant that leaders are warning of “ramifications well beyond Europe”. Two of the women behind the marches and rallies in Melbourne said that they are “still in a state of shock”. Liana Slipetsky and Teresa Lachowicz led hundreds of people to the steps of parliament in Melbourne last week in protest against Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. “Us Ukrainians here in Australia, we feel helpless and somewhat privileged,” said Slipetsky. “And… it’s just the two don’t go together. “We can’t even send financial aid,” she continued, adding that friends and family on the ground in Ukraine “can’t get cash out of ATMs”. “All I’ve offered them is to buy plane tickets for them, or if they need to relocate I’m happy to find them accommodation,” she said, “Other than that, I’m just lost for words… I’m just shell-shocked.”