As Russian troops invade Ukraine and attempt to take on Kyiv — a pursuit which has had sustained human and economic costs — thousands have taken to the streets, public squares and Russian embassies around the world in opposition to Putin's illegal invasion.

In New York, hundreds of Ukrainians gathered in front of the Russian Consulate and United Nations Headquarters on Thursday to condemn the attack and call for an immediate end to the war. With blue-white posters ranging from “Stop WWIII,” “Yes to NATO” and “Hands off Ukraine” decorating the streets, a deep sense of resilience, outrage and defiance roared through the microphones as chants of “We Stand With Ukraine” rung loudly on the streets. In light of this, the New York Police Department was prompt in barricading the streets.

A crowd of protesters in front of the Russian Consulate in New York, calling for an end to Russia’s illegal war. Photo courtesy of Vatsa Singh.

“We need help. Not just money and talk. We don’t need just the words of support,” expressed Natalia Douglas, a Ukrainian in New York. “My mum, my dad, my sister… my entire family is in Ukraine. I speak to them and some of them are spending the night at the shelter. The bomb shelter,” she added.

Many were intensely worried about friends and family living back in Ukraine. Nina Rimiantseva, a Ukrainian immigrant in New York who teaches English to children of other immigrants, told The Gazelle, “I’m Russian by origin, but Ukrainian by mentality. Ukraine is my country.” When asked how her family in the region is doing, she added grimly, “They are doing okay… no one is dead yet.”

Nina isn’t alone. As Putin’s airstrikes wreak havoc on the capital and forces close in, fatalities and injuries have skyrocketed. Close to 368,000 Ukrainians have fled to neighboring European countries, such as Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Slovakia and Romania.

“I don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow. The world has to step in today. Right now,” Douglas appealed, with a sobering somberness.

Russians took to the streets in large numbers too. While Putin’s administration has arrested close to 1800 anti-war protesters in Moscow, dissent — though weakened, or perhaps just quieter and more strategic — is still significant.

Anastasia Sokolov, a Russian anti-war protester who fled Russia in response to the illegal invasion. She holds a red signboard that reads: “Putin is a criminal, put him under trial.”

“I am Russian. Never supported the current administration of Russia. That’s actually why we live here in New York right now… But I have friends in Ukraine, relatives in Ukraine, my granddad is Ukrainian. So for me, it is a principle to be here,” shared Anastasia Sokolov, who had recently fled Russia in light of the despotic political climate.

“We had been to the protests in Russia when we lived there. That’s why I came here again: to stop the war,” she added.

For Anya Farion, a New York-born Manhattan resident, coming out to protest was a step toward generational healing and resistance. “80 years ago, my parents went through the same thing in Ukraine and they had to flee. That is why I am out there… we will fight as long as it takes,” she said, with conviction.

Holy Family Church, a Catholic Church two blocks away from United Nations Headquarters. Photo courtesy of Vatsa Singh.

The rally then moved from the Russian Consulate to the United Nations Headquarters. Even as it started to snow, the crowd only grew bigger. At 3:15 p.m. in the afternoon on Feb. 25, the Ukrainian national anthem could be heard. Two blocks down the street, the Holy Family Church played a choir hymn. Piety, irony and hope tinted the heavy breeze.

Protesters at Times Square. Signage reads: “Putin War Crimes F##k off." Photo courtesy of Lucas De Lellis.

On Feb. 26, protesters gathered at Times Square at around noon, chanting “Stop Putin Now” and “Hands Off Ukraine.”

Around the world, major cities like Berlin, London, Paris, Sydney and even Moscow have seen a wave of protests on the streets over the course of the last two days. The Russian army continues to try to close in on Kyiv and topple the democratically elected Zelensky government. While it may be too early to say whether Ukraine will be able to successfully stave off the Russian onslaught, these protests are a clear indication that Putin may have already lost the war of public opinion.