The Bucha massacre is becoming a symbol of protest

The images that shocked the massacre of civilians in Bucha World (Ukraine) will not be easily forgotten. Photos of corpses with their hands tied behind their backs, their heads covered in bags, their white armbands and their necks shot, prompting Western leaders to impose more sanctions on Russia and to investigate possible war crimes. . The images enter the conscience and that is why they become a symbol, a form of protest crying out against the horrors of war.

Paradoxically, the first place where this gesture was seen was on the streets of Moscow. The artist played in a play in different parts of the Russian capital this Wednesday.

As reported by the Telegram, Holod Media, an independent Russian media banned in Russia, the artist, who remains anonymous for fear of repression in the country, was photographed imitating one of Bucha’s corpses in four famous places in Moscow: Alexander Garden. , In the background of the Kremlin Palace, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Nikolskaya Street and Arbat Street.

The Russian artist, who christened the play “Bucha-Moscow”, was interviewed by Holod Media, which published their conversation on Telegram.

“Looking at Bucha’s photos that day, I had the feeling that I was lying in these fields, that I had been raped, tortured and destroyed,” he told Russian media.

The author of the play says that passers-by reacted calmly to his death and hoped that his actions would be seen and spread: “Judging by the comments of telegram-like networks, he has done his job. I’m glad that there are people who think, feel, live by these comments. ”

The artist claims that he fell down after the action: “I could only vomit and cry, it was the only wish in me.”

Anonymous, he says he fears “persecution of the Kremlin, as well as this action,” but “now these fears have become more tangible.”

His fears are not unfounded. Hundreds of protesters were arrested in Russia in the early days for protesting against the invasion or simply carrying blank banners.

From Moscow to Lithuania and Georgia

Moscow artist is not alone. Dozens of people protested against the war in Ukraine in front of the German embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Wednesday morning. To do this, they re-created the positions of the corpses of civilians shot in the bushes: lying on the ground, handcuffed and heads covered with bags.

The protesters, according to local media, wanted to demand that Germany tighten sanctions against Russia and refuse to import gas.

“We, the Lithuanians, should set an example, fight for Ukraine and explain to the Western states how to stop the occupiers,” one of the protesters told LRT. “Germany is financing Russia’s actions and genocide in Ukraine to increase heating prices. “They have been doing this for 8 years,” said another organizer of the rally.

Another similar rally took place a few hours later in Georgia, this time in the capital Tbilisi and near the parliament. Dozens of people returned to imitate those shot by Russian troops in the areas they eventually left behind during the invasion.

Also handcuffed, blindfolded, lying on the ground next to the bike. They express their solidarity with the Ukrainian people and call on the Georgian government to take stronger measures against the Russian invasion. “Georgia, open your eyes”, – is written on the sign, which was held by one of the protesters.

The protest is especially symbolic in this country. In 2008, Russia declared war on the former Soviet republic with the support of the breakaway republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. After the war, Russia recognized the independence of these separatist regions and Tbilisi severed diplomatic relations with Moscow. What should in principle have been an incentive to join the accidental sanctions before the invasion of Ukraine has forced the Georgian government to be more cautious so far.

Georgia has not yet joined Western sanctions against Russia, but says it will do so after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the resignation of his ambassador to the country. It also formally supports Kiev on various international platforms.