Anti-War Protests Met Moscow’s Victory Day Celebrations

As Vladimir Putin presided over a diminished Victory Day parade in Moscow, activists in neighboring countries staged poignant counter-protests. In Narva, Estonia, a massive poster labeled “Putin – a War Criminal” was draped over the castle walls facing Russia. Meanwhile, in Warsaw, a symbolic cemetery of 100 crosses was erected outside the Russian embassy to commemorate the hundreds of Ukrainian children killed during the full-scale invasion. Make us preferred on Google Flip Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied A poster depicting the bloodied Kremlin leader with the words “Putin – War Criminal” on the wall of Narva Castle. Photo by Ilya (Smirnov/Postimees) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google While the Kremlin attempted to project military strength during its annual May 9 celebrations, activists in Estonia and Poland utilized the date to highlight the reality of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, Postimees reported. In the Estonian border town of Narva, which sits directly across from the Russian city of Ivangorod, the Narva Museum draped a massive banner over the castle walls at midnight. The poster featured an image of Vladimir Putin and the message: “Putin – a war criminal”. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “The free world calls things by their proper names. Memory of victory does not give the right to new crimes!” said Maria Smorzhevskaya-Smirnova, director of the Narva Museum. The museum noted that the banner serves as a reminder of the genocide currently being committed against the Ukrainian people. The placement of the poster has become an annual tradition in Narva, often timed to counter the concerts and propaganda broadcasts directed at the town by Russian authorities from across the border. In Poland, members of the “Euromaidan-Warsaw” initiative staged a grim installation in front of the Russian embassy. Dozens of activists placed 100 crosses bearing the photographs of Ukrainian children killed by the Russian military, Ukrinfrom reported. Natalia Panchenko, leader of the Warsaw Euromaidan, stated that the goal was to dismantle Russia’s claim of being a state that “defeated fascism”. “These crosses symbolize the Ukrainian children killed by the Russian army… Russia is a terrorist state that is waging a genocidal war,” Panchenko told reporters. Other Topics of Interest Poland Ready to Host US Troops Withdrawn From Germany to Bolster NATO Poland is prepared to host additional US military personnel after US President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany. Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that the alliance with Washington is the “cornerstone” of national security and that Poland can provide the necessary infrastructure to bolster NATO’s eastern flank. The withdrawal primarily targets the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, a Stryker brigade stationed in Vilseck, Bavaria. Crosses bearing photographs of Ukrainian children killed by Russia in Ukraine, displayed outside the Russian Embassy in Warsaw. (Photo by Ukrinform) According to data cited during the rally, more than 700 Ukrainian children have been killed, 3,000 wounded, and over 20,000 illegally deported to Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion. Activists demanded the immediate return of all kidnapped children and called for greater international pressure on the Kremlin. The protests occurred as Vladimir Putin delivered a defiant speech on Red Square , claiming Russia would emerge victorious in its “special military operation”. However, the 2026 parade was a visibly diminished affair. For the first time since 2007, the parade featured no heavy military equipment, consisting solely of marching units. A column of North Korean soldiers, reportedly having seen combat in Russia’s Kursk region, participated in the march. The event took place during a temporary “no-strike zone” established by a decree from President Volodymyr Zelensky . The humanitarian gesture was aimed at facilitating a major exchange of 1,000 prisoners of war . Despite the temporary humanitarian pause, the atmosphere remains tense, with world leaders and activists emphasizing that the symbolic weight of May 9 cannot mask the daily reality of Russian strikes across Ukraine. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.