A convoy of pro-Russian vehicles drove along Bondi Beach with a police escort on Sunday, as both Labor and the Coalition condemn Vladimir Putin on the anniversary of his invasion of Ukraine.
The convoy of up to six vehicles, including utes, motorbikes and a military truck, was spotted driving slowly along Campbell Parade, the road running parallel with Australia’s most famous beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
A sign on the back of the military truck said ‘Defenders of the Fatherland Day’ in Russian, which has been celebrated every year on February 23 since 1918.
It marks the moment during the Russian Civil War when thousands of workers joined the Red Army to fight the German Kaiser’s advancing troops.
But, in a not-so-subtle nod to the invasion of Ukraine, the larger vehicles in the convoy were emblazoned with ‘Z’ symbols, which is widely used as a propaganda symbol in support of the war.
It is regularly seen on Russian tanks and other military vehicles and the Russian Ministry of Defence said it was an abbreviation meaning ‘for victory’.
The celebration of the Defenders of the Fatherland Day comes just a day before the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
NSW Police said officers were ‘in attendance to ensure traffic compliance/minimise traffic disruption’ and that there were no incidents or arrests.
The convoy of up to six vehicles, including utes, motorbikes and a military truck, was spotted driving slowly with a police escort along Campbell Parade, the road running parallel with Australia’s most famous beach in Sydney ‘s eastern suburbs (pictured)
It is regularly seen on Russian tanks and other military vehicles (pictured) and the Russian Ministry of Defence said it was an abbreviation meaning ‘for victory’
Kateryna Argyrou, Co-Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, said the ‘Z’ symbol was deliberately used to inflame hatred.
‘We strongly condemn the pro-Kremlin convoy that was seen driving through Bondi on Sunday, displaying Russian flags and the “Z” symbol – a symbol used by the Russian state to express pride in the Russian Army and its genocidal, murderous actions in Ukraine,’ Ms Argyrou said.
‘It is disturbing to see this kind of convoy on Australian shores, especially on a day where we remember the lives lost and the suffering caused by Russia’s war against Ukraine.
‘The “Z” symbol has been deliberately used to harass and intimidate our community, causing great distress, particularly amongst displaced Ukrainians who were forced to flee their homes and country following the full-scale invasion.
‘Pro-Kremlin agitators have previously attempted to intimidate our community, issuing death threats and carrying out assaults.’
One bemused onlooker was shocked to see a pro-Russian convoy in Australia.
‘I’m Russian, and I’m truly sorry for those people,’ they said.
‘It brings me a lot of shame, to the point that I even never tell people where I’m actually from because I’m so ashamed of where I was born, that hellhole and people like them.’
The larger vehicles were flying Russian flags and emblazoned with ‘Z’ symbols, which is widely used as a propaganda symbol in support of Russia
‘They’re a disgrace and 100 per cent of them are idiots,’ a second said.
‘Why is anyone even here if they think their motherland is so awesome – go back,’ at third added.
Another said: ‘If they are so supportive of this war they should just volunteer to the frontlines.’
On Monday, both Labor and the Coalition released statements calling on Putin to end the war and to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty.
A joint statment from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, minister for Defence Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong criticised ‘Russia’s illegal and immoral war of aggression’.
‘Australia mourns the loss of life of Ukraine’s citizens and defenders, and the generational toll of Russia’s brutality,’ the statement added.
‘Australia continues to stand with Ukraine. We have committed over $1.5billion to help Ukraine defend itself, including more than $1.3billion in military support through vital equipment for the battlefield and the training of Ukrainian forces.’
Both Labor and the Coalition released statements calling on Putin to end the war and to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty
The Albanese Government also revealed that it had brought in new financial sanctions and travel bans on 70 people and targeted financial sanctions on 79 entities, constituting the largest sanctions package since February 2022.
‘The new sanctions target individuals propping up Russia’s illegal administrations in eastern Ukraine and Crimea, including so-called “ministers”, judges and prosecutors, and individuals responsible for conflict-related sexual violence and the forced deportation of Ukrainian children,’ the statement added.
‘The sanctions also target persons and entities involved in deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including the deployment of North Korean troops to the battlefield.’
However, the Coalition criticised the ‘Albanese Government’s slow and weak support for Ukraine’.
‘We saw the Government’s refusal to provide MRH-90 Taipan helicopters,’ the Coalition’s statement added.
‘Labor inexplicably left our embassy in Kyiv vacant for almost three years, and ignored a request to support the nation’s energy needs.’
The statement, signed by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs David Coleman and Shadow Minister for Defence Andrew Hastie, branded Putin a ‘murderous despot’.
‘May a strong Ukraine, backed by strong friends, secure the peace that comes from strength in 2025,’ the statment added.
‘A peace that ensures Ukraine’s security and sovereignty for generations to come.
‘A peace that does not reward the murderous despot Putin – as any reward would embolden other revanchist autocrats to follow in his tyrannical footsteps.’
The statment condemned Putin’s ‘illegal, unprovoked, and abominable invasion’ and unequivocally committed to continuing to prove ‘military equipment, supplies and aid’ to Ukraine.
Trump has proposed allowing Putin to keep the Crimea, which he invaded and annexed in 2014, in return for ending the war and has branded Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky a ‘dictator without elections’
On Sunday, Zelensky said he would be willing to resign as leader in exchange for peace and membership to NATO
While Donald Trump is not mentioned, the statment leaves in no doubt that Mr Dutton believes the US President’s appeasement of Russia is the wrong course of action.
Trump has proposed allowing Putin to keep the Crimea, which he invaded and annexed in 2014, in return for ending the war and has branded Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky a ‘dictator without elections’.
On Sunday, Zelensky said he would be willing to resign as leader in exchange for peace and membership to NATO.
‘If it’s about peace in Ukraine and you really want me to leave my position, I am ready to do that,’ the Ukrainian leader told reporters.
‘Secondly, I can exchange it for NATO (membership) if there is such an opportunity.
‘I’ll do it immediately without a long conversation about it. I am focused on Ukraine’s security today and not in 20 years. I don’t plan on being in power for decades.’
