More than a hundred people demonstrated against Moscow’s rocket attacks in Bern on Monday evening. The action near the Russian embassy was peaceful.
The area around the Russian embassy was closed. Therefore, the demonstration actually took place in front of the German residence.
geo., Berne · Between 100 and 200 people protested Monday night near the Russian embassy in Bern against Moscow’s rocket attacks on Ukrainian cities. The demonstrators unfurled a Ukrainian flag and chanted patriotic and religious songs. In speeches and chants, Russia was described as a terrorist state.
The mood among the participants was turbulent, sad, but combative. Monday’s rocket attacks were a second February 24, a banner read. A speaker said that unlike on the first day of the war, Ukrainians are no longer unsettled. Russia could be defeated militarily. More weapons and tougher sanctions against Russia were called for.
Move to downtown
The Bern canton police cordoned off most of the area around the Russian embassy. The rally therefore actually took place in front of the German residence. Later, however, a move to the city center was allowed, which led past the Russian consulate. However, the demonstrators refrained from aggressive slogans or gestures. The protest broke up in front of the Bundeshaus.
It was mostly women who protested.
Artem Ribchenko, the Ukrainian ambassador in Bern, told the NZZ that the attacks on Kyiv were very likely to have come from Belarusian territory. The capital was only narrowly spared from a massacre. Had the attacks on the central Shevchenko Park come just an hour later, families with children would have been hit there, the ambassador said. Ribchenko could not reach many of his contacts in Kyiv on Monday afternoon.
