When a Broken Heart Becomes a Protest
Alexandra and Anna—both 27 and not too fond of the word “surname”—were part of a quiet stream of Russians who took a trip to Ukraine’s embassy in Moscow on Sunday, Feb 27. They carried an unmistakable mix of shame, worry, and a sense of absolute hopelessness after Russia’s invasion, and offered heartfelt apologies to Ukrainians.
The Family Connection
The two friends, who chose to stay anonymous, said their own brothers are now in Russia’s National Guard. One is a conscript, the other a contractor, and both were sent to Crimea after training exercises—essentially the very people who might have been behind the Ukraine invasion.
The Embassy’s “Flowers” Section
- A heartfelt “Sorry” bouquet in front of the embassy (it’s probably the most emotional flower sale in Moscow history.)
- A “Forgive Us” sign and a cardboard heart painted blue and yellow—Ukrainian colors with a touch of local pizza taste.
- Quickly gone: the flowers were scooped up every two hours by a “hospitality‑kook” policeman to keep the sidewalks clear. Apparently, Moscow isn’t a flower shop.
A City of Bashful Protesters
It’s hard to miss the police presence: almost 6,000 people have already been detained since Thursday, according to OVD‑Info protest monitor. From a chilled Pushkin Square to the heart of the city, the police tightened their grip harder than a whirl‑monger on a rainy day.
Paranoid With the “Nuclear Alert” Moniker
Foreign residents were cursing on their phones, discussing whether or not they should bail out of Russia after Putin went on the nuclear hotline. It’s a chilling feeling, summed up best as a “Nuclear Winter in Moscow.”
Money, or Rather, the “Moscow Cash Paradox”
Money, folks—ATM outages are taking the joy out of Moscow. The banks at St. Petersburg’s bank halls are lining up like a sushi roll. And the Raiffeisen bank gave you a dollar for 150 roubles, as opposed to 83 when the market closed just last Friday. Talk about a stamp‑authentic “curse of the Central Bank.”
Take‑away
What we see is a city trying to keep its head above water while under watchful eyes—humor, heartbreak, and survival tactics. And no one would ever expect the herbal “mood of 2025” to have anything to do with a slap‑dunked horse. To quote Alexandra: “I’m against this war. My heart’s with the Ukrainian people.”}
<img alt="" data-caption="A view shows the gate of the Ukrainian embassy in Moscow, Russia February 24, 2022.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”d256b206-e42d-4dcd-a294-0e71d6ddee8a” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/280222_russiangate_Reuters.jpg”/>
US Warns, French Urges Russians & French to Quit Russia Immediately
In a whirlwind of chaos, the U.S. Embassy has dropped a flag‑raising ultimatum: our fellow Americans should ditch Russia without delay. Why? Because airlines are pulling the plug on seats, and a sea of borders are shutting down the skies. Meanwhile, the French government—thinking it’s time for a quick exit—has told all French nationals visiting Russia for a short stint: “Pack your bags, pronto.”
Inside the Ukrainian Embassy: A Tale of Two Worlds
Outside the gray walls of the Ukrainian embassy, Alexandra spilled the truth. Her friends “truly hate the war” (yay, hope!), but most Russians, even her parents, seem to be on the left‑wing side. She paints a vivid picture of her folks living in the countryside, glued to state propaganda on TV—like a podcast at a beer garden, but you can’t switch off the headphones. It’s a “communication vacuum” that fuels their endless debates with her.
Anna’s Daily Protester Resilience
- Anna’s URGE: Daily protests since Thursday—even risking a grumpy arrest.
- Regret flag: “I should’ve backed opposition leaders early,” she mourns. A guilty conscience for the invasion? Check.
- Organizers missing: Ugh! All main players either in jail or branded as extremists. “We missed the moment,” cries Anna.
- Self‑blame moment: “I’m the reason this happened.”
Brothers in the Trenches: A Whisper of War
- Both sisters worry about their brothers fighting in Ukraine. The last update? “They’re moving to a fresh spot—I don’t even know where.”
- Anna’s 18‑year‑old lemming: no critical thinking, no independent media eye. His world is only Channel One. Fate has dish‑dropped him into the conscript life, no wiggle room to refuse.
So, here’s the scoop: U.S. and French governments are pulling the emergency brake on Russian travel, while our friends inside Russia—and even among the conscripts—feel the war’s heavy weight. Thankfully, it’s all wrapped in an earnest and pepper‑filled curtain of emotion and a sprinkle of humor to keep the narrative lively.
