2022 protests in Russian-occupied Ukraine

{{Short description|Protests against Russian invasion}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}

{{Distinguish|Ukrainian resistance in Russian-occupied Ukraine}}

{{Update|date=August 2022}}{{Infobox civil conflict

| title = 2022 protests in Russian-occupied Ukraine

| partof = the protests against the Russian invasion of Ukraine

| image =

| caption = Protests during the Battle of Slavutych, 26 March

| date = {{start date|df=yes|2022|02|24}} – April 2022

| place = Towns and cities of Ukraine under Russian occupation

| coordinates =

| causes = Russian invasion of Ukraine

| goals = *Withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine

  • End of Russian occupation of towns and cities

| methods = *Demonstrations

  • Civil resistance

| status = Protests suppressed by Russian occupation authorities and military

| result =

| side1 = Ukrainian resistance:

| side2 = Occupying forces:

| side3 =

| leadfigures1 =

| leadfigures2 =

| leadfigures3 =

| howmany1 =

| casualties1 = At least 1 dead, 13 injured

| casualties2 =

| injuries =

| arrests = unknown

| detentions =

| charged =

| fined =

| casualties_label =

| notes =

}}

{{Campaignbox Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

{{Campaignbox Russo-Ukrainian War}}

During the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resulting Russian occupation of multiple Ukrainian towns and cities, numerous cases of non-violent resistance against the invasion took place. Local residents organised protests against the invasion and blocked the movement of Russian military equipment. The Russian military dispersed the protests, sometimes with live fire, injuring many and killing some. Most of the large protests ended in March.

Human Rights Watch reports that protesters have been tortured in the south of the occupation zone.{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/07/22/ukraine-torture-disappearances-occupied-south|title=Ukraine: Torture, Disappearances in Occupied South|date=22 July 2022|website=Human Rights Watch}}

Timeline

=North=

On 25 February, the city of Konotop was surrounded by Russian troops. On 2 March, at a gathering of city residents, the city's mayor, Artem Semenikhin (from the political party Svoboda), said that the Russian military was threatening to shell the city in case of disobedience and offered to resist. His proposal was followed by a standing ovation from the crowd.{{cite web |last1=Давыдова |first1=Гера |title="Кто за? Воюем!". Жители захваченных украинских городов протестуют против российских военных |trans-title="Who agrees? Let's fight!" Residents of captured Ukrainian cities protest against the Russian military |url=https://zona.media/article/2022/03/03/citizens |website=Медиазоне |access-date=19 March 2022 |language=Russian |date=3 March 2022}}

There were protests in Slavutych on 26 March, as the battle of Slavutych escalated, with Russians attempting to occupy the city. According to reports, Russian troops had abducted the mayor of Slavutych, Yuri Fomichev; he was ultimately released in time to address a protest rally against the Russian invasion, which took place later that day in the city square.{{cite web |last1=Балачук |first1=Ірина |date=26 March 2022 |title=У Славутичі є поранені, але мера окупанти відпустили |trans-title=There are wounded in Slavutych, but the mayor was released by the occupiers |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/26/7334721/ |access-date=29 March 2022 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |language=uk}} More than 5,000 city residents took part in the peaceful protest,{{cite web |last1=Рощіна |first1=Олена |date=27 March 2022 |title=Мер окупованого Славутича: Компромісів не було, росіяни поставили одну умову |trans-title=Mayor of occupied Slavutych: There were no compromises, the Russians set one condition |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/27/7334964/ |access-date=29 March 2022 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |language=uk}} until it was disrupted by Russian troops firing warning shots and launching stun grenades into the crowd. At least one civilian was injured.{{cite web |last1=Орлова |first1=Віолетта |title=Танки РФ ввійшли у Славутич: містяни зібралися на проукраїнські протести |url=https://www.unian.ua/society/u-slavutichi-pomitili-tanki-rosiyan-mistyani-viyshli-na-proukrajinski-protesti-novini-ukrajini-11760067.html |website=unian.ua |access-date=29 March 2022 |language=Ukrainian |date=26 March 2022}}

=East=

On 1 March, in Kupiansk, Kharkiv oblast, the Russian army dispersed demonstrations.[https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/1/7327108/index.amp В окупованому Куп’янську люди вийшли на мітинг за Україну] - Українська правда (in ukrainian) 1 March 2022

In Starobilsk, Luhansk Oblast, civilians blocked roads for Russian military forces.{{cite web | url=https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/video-starobilsk-na-luganshhyni-tezh-mitynguye-proty-okupantiv/ | title=ВІДЕО: Старобільськ на Луганщині теж мітингує проти окупантів }} On 6 March, a crowd tore down and burned the flag of the LPR, which was raised by Russian troops near the local government building, and replaced it with the Ukrainian flag while singing the national anthem.{{Cite web |date=7 March 2022 |title=В Старобельске жители сняли флаг оккупантов и спели гимн Украины |trans-title=Residents of Starobilsk removed the flag of the occupiers and sang the anthem of Ukraine |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2022/03/7/7329195/index.amp |access-date=23 July 2022 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |language=ru}}

On 3 March, civilians blocked the Russian military from entering Svatove in the Luhansk Oblast, while chanting Ukraine's national salute.{{cite web | url=https://tsn.ua/ato/svatove-ce-ukrayina-miscevi-zhiteli-na-luganschini-prognali-rosiyskih-okupantiv-video-1996450.html | title=Сватове - це Україна: місцеві жителі на Луганщині прогнали російських окупантів (відео) | date=3 March 2022 }}

On 4 March, after the occupation of Novopskov in the Luhansk Oblast by Russian troops, local residents protested under Ukrainian flags. According to Ukrainska Pravda, citing locals, one person was injured as a result of shooting at protesters.{{cite web |title=Новопсков на Луганщине: россияне открыли огонь по безоружным людям |trans-title=Novopskov in Luhansk region: Russians opened fire on unarmed people |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2022/03/5/7328562/ |website=Украинская правда |access-date=19 March 2022 |language=Ukrainian |date=5 March 2022}} On 5 March, the local residents protested again against the Russian occupation, and warning shots were again opened on them. According to the head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration, Serhiy Haidai, three locals were injured.{{cite web |date=5 March 2022 |title=Оккупанты открыли огонь по патриотическому митингу в новопскове, есть пострадавший |trans-title=Occupiers opened fire on a patriotic rally in Novopskov, there is a victim |url=https://novosti.dn.ua/news/321432-okkupanty-otkryli-ogon-po-patrioticheskomu-mitingu-v-novopskove-est-postradavshij |access-date=19 March 2022 |website=Новости Донбасса |language=ru}}{{cite web |title=У Новопскові троє людей постраждали під час спроби зупинити росіян, які відкрили вогонь - Гайдай |trans-title=In Novopskov, three people were injured while trying to stop the Russians who opened fire - Gaidai |url=https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/807751.html |website=Interfax Україна |access-date=19 March 2022 |language=Ukrainian |date=5 March 2022}}

On 5 March, a significant number of civilians carrying Ukrainian flags and singing the Ukrainian anthem marched through the streets of Bilokurakyne in the Luhansk Oblast. The march was stopped by Russian forces.{{cite news|url=https://euromaidanpress.com/2022/03/09/unarmed-ukrainian-locals-of-occupied-towns-protest-against-russian-invaders/|access-date=2 April 2023|title=Ukrainians of occupied towns protest against Russian invaders, undermining "liberator" narrative|date=9 March 2022

|website=euromaidanpress.com|author=Yuri Zoria}}

On 6 March, there were protests in Troitske, Luhansk oblast.{{Cite web|url=https://hromadske.radio/news/2022/03/06/na-khersonshchyni-ta-luhanshchyni-liudy-prodovzhuiut-chynyty-opir-okupantam-i-vykhodiat-na-mitynhy-video|title=На Херсонщині та Луганщині люди продовжують чинити опір окупантам і виходять на мітинги (ВІДЕО)|trans-title=On Kherson and Luhansk regions people are continue resist to ocupiers and go for protest|date=6 March 2022|publisher=hromadske|language=uk}}

On 8 March, locals from Svatove in the Luhansk Oblast gathered on the streets to protest against the occupation by Russian forces. Russian soldiers later threatened to disperse the rally by opening fire.

=South: Zaporizhzhia=

On 27 February, in Dniprorudne, the residents, along with the mayor, blocked roads to stop Russian troops.{{cite web|url=https://m.glavcom.ua/news/na-zaporizhzhi-mer-iz-mistyanami-zupinili-rosiyskiy-tank-video-825578.html|title=На Запоріжжі мер із містянами зупинили російський танк|trans-title=On Zaporizhzhia (oblast) mayor with locals are stopped russian tank|date=27 February 2022}}

On 28 February, in Berdiansk, when Russian troops had already entered the town, residents organised a protest, after which the Russians removed their technique from the city centre.[https://hromadske.ua/posts/v-okupovanomu-berdyansku-lyudi-vijshli-na-protest-poslali-okupantiv-i-ti-viveli-vijskovu-tehniku-z-centru В окупованому Бердянську люди вийшли на протест, «послали» окупантів — і ті вивели військову техніку з центру] - Hromadske (in Ukrainian) 28 February 2022 Similar rallies are often repeated.{{cite news|url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-zaporizhzhua-protesty-okupatsiya/31752244.html|title=Мирні жителі у Запорізькій області не припиняють виходити на вулиці проти загарбників з РФ|trans-title=Civilians in Zaporizhzhia oblast don't stop go out to rally against of RF invaders|date= 14 March 2022|newspaper=Радіо Свобода|language=uk|last1=Свобода |first1=Радіо }}{{cite news|url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/novyny-pryazovya-berdyansk-kherson-protesty/31737924.html|title=Бердянськ та Херсон протестують під дулами російських автоматів|date=5 March 2022|newspaper=Радіо Свобода|language=uk|first1=Олександр|last1=Янковський|last2=Приазов'я|first2=Новини }} On 20 March Russian troops opened warning shots, threatening the protesters, and repressed a demonstration.{{cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/protests-held-russian-occupied-ukrainian-cities-kherson-energodar-and-berdyansk-1528616/|title=Ukraine war: Protests held in Russian occupied Ukrainian cities Kherson, Energodar and Berdyansk|date=20 March 2022|publisher=inews}}

During 1–2 March, thousands of residents of Enerhodar blocked the city entrance for Russian military convoys.{{cite web|url=https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/energodar-lyudy-ne-puskayut-tanky-v-misto/|title=Енергодар: люди не пускають колону РФ в місто|date=3 March 2022|accessdate=3 March 2022|language=uk}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/2/7327506/|title=Жителі Енергодара стали стіною на захист міста|trans-title=residents of Energodar became a wall to protect the city|date=3 March 2022|language=uk}} On 20 March, a rally against the kidnapping of residents and officials by Russian troops took place in the city.{{cite news|url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-enerhodar-protest/31762010.html|title=В Енергодарі – протести після викрадення військами РФ посадовця міськради|newspaper=Радіо Свобода |trans-title=in Energodar - protest after kidnapping official from city council by russian army|date=20 March 2022|language=uk|last1=Свобода |first1=Радіо }} On 2 April, Russian troops violently dispersed the rally with explosions.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-troops-disperse-pro-ukraine-rally-occupied-town-local-authorities-say-2022-04-02/|title=Russian troops disperse pro-Ukraine rally in occupied town, local authorities say|date=2 April 2022|publisher=Reuters}}

On 1 March, in Melitopol, local residents organised a protest rally during which they marched along the avenue from Victory Square to the SBU building, occupied by the Russian military. According to the online local publication Our City, "unable to withstand the pressure [outside the building], Russian soldiers opened fire, first in the air, and then on the townspeople" and "one person received a gunshot wound in the knee".{{cite web |last1=Фесенко |first1=Михаил |title=Мелитопольцы перекрыли дорогу для российской военной техники |trans-title=Melitopol residents blocked the road for Russian military equipment |url=https://news.mspravka.info/melitopolcy-perekryli-dorogu-dlja-rossijskoj-voennoj-tehniki/ |website=Наш Город |access-date=19 March 2022 |language=ru |date=1 March 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Фесенко |first1=Михаил |title=На мирном митинге российские военные ранили мелитопольца |trans-title=At a peaceful rally, the Russian military wounded a citizen of Melitopol |url=https://news.mspravka.info/na-mirnom-mitinge-rossijskie-voennye-ranili-melitopolca/ |website=Наш Город |access-date=19 March 2022 |language=ru |date=2 March 2022}} According to the BBC News Ukrainian Service, local residents organised a peaceful protest under Ukrainian flags and accused Russian soldiers of shelling and looting shops.{{cite web |title="Орки, йдіть геть": Мелітополь вийшов на протест |trans-title="Orcs, go away": Melitopol went on protest |url=https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/news-60589371 |website=BBC News Україна |publisher=BBC |access-date=19 March 2022 |language=Ukrainian |date=2 March 2022}} As of 10 March, processions through the Melitopol city centre were repeated daily.{{cite web |last1=Время |first1=Настоящее |title=Мэр захваченного Мелитополя: "Ситуация на грани гуманитарной катастрофы, если не будут остановлены бои и не откроются гуманитарные коридоры" |trans-title=Mayor of captured Melitopol: "The situation is on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe if the fighting is not stopped and humanitarian corridors are not opened" |url=https://www.currenttime.tv/a/mer-melitopolya-situatsiya-na-grani-gumanitarnoy-katastrofy-esli-ne-budut-ostanovleny-boi-i-ne-otkroyutsya-gumanitarnye-koridory/31736600.html |website=Настоящее Время |access-date=19 March 2022 |language=ru |date=4 March 2022}}{{cite web |title=В захваченных городах Запорожской области проходят акции протеста против присутствия российских войск |trans-title=Protests against the presence of Russian troops are held in the captured cities of the Zaporizhzhia region |url=https://ru.krymr.com/a/news-ukraina-zakhvachennyye-goroda-zaporozhskaya-oblast-aktsii-protesta-rossiyskikh-voysk/31746683.html |website=Крым.Реалии |access-date=19 March 2022 |language=Russian |date=10 March 2022}}

On 2 March, regular actions were held in Prymorsk.{{cite web | url=http://1news.zp.ua/v-primorske-mestnye-zhiteli-chetvertyj-den-podryad-vyhodyat-na-protesty-protiv-rossijskoj-okkupaczii-video/ | title=У Приморську місцеві жителі четвертий день поспіль виходять на протести проти російської окупації, – ВІДЕО | Перший Запорiзький | date=5 March 2022 }}https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-zaporizhzhua-protesty{{Dead link|date=November 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

On 2 March, near the village of Vodiane in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast, local residents blocked the road for Russian troops. Negotiations were held between the mayor of Vodiane and the mayor of the neighbouring village of Kamianka-Dniprovska with a representative of the Russian side, who said that if the military convoy passed peacefully through the settlement to its destination, no one would be hurt; residents did not accept this offer. According to the mayor of nearby Enerhodar, at around 15:30 local time, Russian troops opened fire on the protesters, injuring two of them.{{cite web |title=У Запорізькій області окупанти закидали гранатами жителів, які перекрили дорогу (ВІДЕО) |trans-title=In the Zaporizhzhia region occupiers threw grenades at residents who blocked the road (VIDEO) |url=https://zp.depo.ua/ukr/zp/u-zaporizkiy-oblasti-okupanti-zakidali-granatami-zhiteliv-yaki-perekrili-dorogu-video-202203021430839 |website=Depo.ua |access-date=19 March 2022 |language=Ukrainian |date=2 March 2022}}

On 7 March, there were protests in Tokmak.{{cite web | url=https://forpost.media/vijna/u-tokmaku-liudy-ne-daiut-okupantam-znimaty-natsionalni-prapory-video.html | title=У Токмаку люди не дають окупантам знімати національні прапори. Відео | date=7 March 2022 }}

=South: Kherson=

On 5 March, residents of Kherson went to a rally with Ukrainian flags and chanted that the city is still Ukrainian and will never be Russian, despite Russian occupation. The Russian military opened warning fire on the protesters. At the same time, the National Police of Ukraine published a video where a Kherson police officer, holding a Ukrainian flag in his hands, jumped on a Russian armoured personnel carrier that was driving past the rally, and local residents supported his action with shouts and applause.{{cite web |last1=Мартынко |first1=Кристина |date=5 March 2022 |title=Жители Херсона протестуют под обстрелами российских оккупантов: Мы не боимся! Херсон - это Украина! |trans-title=Residents of Kherson protest under fire from Russian invaders: We are not afraid! Kherson is Ukraine! |url=https://kp.ua/life/a645185-zhiteli-khersona-protestujut-pod-obstrelami-rossijskikh-okkupantov-my-ne-boimsja-kherson-eto-ukraina |access-date=19 March 2022 |website=KP in Ukraine |language=uk}}

On 6 March, there were protests in Chonhar under the flags of Crimean Tatars.{{Cite web|title=На адмінмежі з Кримом протестували проти російської окупації|trans-title=On the administrative border with Crimea protested against the Russian occupation|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/6/7328943/|date=2022-03-06}}

{{Cite web|title="Крим - це Україна", - мешканці Чонгару вийшли на мітинг проти окупантів|trans-title="Crimea is Ukraine", Chongar residents came to a rally against the occupiers|url=https://censor.net/ua/news/3322257/krym_tse_ukrayina_meshkantsi_chongaru_vyyishly_na_mityng_proty_okupantiv|website=Censor.NET|date=2022-03-06|accessdate=2022-03-13}}

On 6 March, during a rally in Nova Kakhovka, the Russian military opened fire on protesters indiscriminately "despite the fact that people were unarmed and did not pose any threat," resulting in at least one death and seven injuries. On 7 March, the Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine, according to Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the laws and customs of war, associated with premeditated murder), opened a criminal case on the deaths of several protesters.{{cite web |last1=Бойко |first1=Иван |title=Во время митинга в Новой Каховке оккупанты убили одного человека, а семь - ранили |trans-title=During a rally in Nova Kakhovka, the invaders killed one person and wounded seven |url=https://www.unian.net/war/vo-vremya-mitinga-v-novoy-kahovke-okkupanty-ubili-odnogo-cheloveka-a-sem-ranili-novosti-donbassa-11732566.html |website=UNIAN.NET |access-date=19 March 2022 |language=Russian |date=7 March 2022}}

On 16 March, there was a rally in Skadovsk against the kidnapping of the mayor.[https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-skadovsk-vykradennya-mera/31755880.html На півдні України окупанти викрали ще одного мера, люди вийшли на протест] - Радіо Свобода, 16.03.2022[https://hromadske.radio/news/2022/03/16/vykradenoho-rosiys-kymy-okupantamy-mera-skadovs-ka-vidpustyly Викраденого російськими окупантами мера Скадовська відпустили] - Громадське Радіо, 16.03.2022 In the city, civilians removed Russian flags from the government building.[https://novyny.live/safety/v-skadovske-zhiteli-sniali-rossiiskii-trikolor-iz-gorodskogo-soveta-video-43148.html У Скадовську мешканці зняли російський триколор із міської ради. Відео] 17.03.2022

On 20 March, protesters in Kherson confronted several Russian military vehicles and told them to "go home".{{Cite web |title=Ukraine war: Kherson residents tell Russian forces to 'go home' as they confront military vehicles |url=https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-kherson-residents-tell-russian-forces-to-go-home-as-they-confront-military-vehicles-12571479 |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=Sky News |language=en}} On 27 April, the city council representatives were forced out, and a pro-Ukrainian protest was dispersed.{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/amp/kherson-ukrainian-rally-dispersed/31824009.html|title=Pro-Ukraine Rally Dispersed By Russians In Kherson After City Administration Forced Out|date=27 April 2022}}

In March, there were demonstrations in Oleshky, Henichesk, Kakhovka, Hola Prystan, Zaliznyi Port, Novotroitske, Chaplynka, and other cities in the Kherson oblast.[https://glavcom.ua/country/incidents/u-genichesku-zibravsya-kilkatisyachniy-miting-proti-okupantiv-foto-video-827456.html У Генічеську зібрався кількатисячний мітинг проти окупантів (фото, відео)]-Главком, 06.03.2022[https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-regions/3421894-u-timcasovo-okupovanih-genicesku-kahovci-ta-kalancaku-masovi-proukrainski-mitingi.html У тимчасово окупованих Генічеську, Каховці та Каланчаку - масові проукраїнські мітинги] - Укрінформ, 06.03.2022[https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/chaplinka-eto-ukraina-mirnyy-protest-poselke-1646660939.html Чаплинка - це Україна! На мирний протест у селищі вийшли понад три тисячі осіб] - RBC.ua, 07.03.2022{{cite web | url=https://suspilne.media/215156-hersonsina-prodovzue-vihoditi-na-mirni-mitingi-proti-okupantiv/ | title=Херсонщина продовжує виходити на мирні мітинги проти окупантів | date=8 March 2022 }}[https://parlament.ua/news/zhiteli-goloi-pristani-ta-oleshok-vijshli-na-miting-proti-rosijskih-okupantiv-foto-video/ Жителі Голої Пристані та Олешок вийшли на мітинг проти російських окупантів (фото, відео)] - Парламент.ua, 08.03.2022[https://lb.ua/society/2022/03/08/508546_hersonshchini_lyudi_viyshli_vulitsi_z.html На Херсонщині люди вийшли на вулиці з українською символікою та патріотичними плакатами ] - LB.ua, 08.03.2022[https://suspilne.media/217612-dvadcatij-den-vtorgnenna-rf-situacia-na-hersonsini-tekstova-translacia/ Двадцятий день вторгнення РФ: ситуація на Херсонщині. ТЕКСТОВА ТРАНСЛЯЦІЯ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709083847/https://suspilne.media/217612-dvadcatij-den-vtorgnenna-rf-situacia-na-hersonsini-tekstova-translacia/ |date=9 July 2022 }}- Суспільне Новини, 15.03.2022[https://suspilne.media/221436-ziteli-novotroickogo-na-hersonsini-vijsli-na-mirnij-miting/ Жителі Новотроїцького на Херсонщині вийшли на мирний мітинг] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709094930/https://suspilne.media/221436-ziteli-novotroickogo-na-hersonsini-vijsli-na-mirnij-miting/ |date=9 July 2022 }} - Суспільне Новини, 25.03.2022[https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-regions/3441211-meskanci-kahovki-znovu-vijsli-na-mirnu-akciu-protestu-proti-rosijskoi-agresii.html Мешканці Каховки знову вийшли на мирну акцію протесту проти російської агресії] - ukrinform 27.03.2022[https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/03/27/7335011/ В окупованій Каховці люди вийшли на мітинг]- Українська правда, 27.03.2022[https://hromadske.ua/ru/posts/zhiteli-goloj-pristani-v-hersonskoj-oblasti-vyshli-na-miting-trebuyut-ot-okkupantov-vernut-pohishennogo-mera Жители Голой Пристани в Херсонской области вышли на митинг. Требуют от оккупантов вернуть похищенного мэра] - Hromadske 31.03.2022

See also

References