A convoy of pro-Russian vehicles drove on Sunday past Bondi Beach with a police escort, while both Labor and the Coalition Vladimir Putin condemn on the birthday of his invasion of Ukraine.
The convoy of a maximum of six vehicles, including UTES, motorcycles and a military truck, was slowly seen along Campbell Parade, the road that runs parallel with the most famous beach of Australia in the eastern outskirts of Sydney.
A sign on the back of the military truck said 'defenders of the Fatherland Day' in Russian, which is celebrated every year since 1918 on 23 February.
It marks the moment during the Russian Civil War when thousands of workers joined the Red Army to fight against the progressive troops of the German Kaiser.
But in a non-so-subtle nod to the invasion of Ukraine, the larger vehicles in the convoy were decorated with 'Z' symbols, which are widely used as a propaganda symbol to support the war.
It is regularly seen on Russian tanks and other military vehicles and the Russian Ministry of Defense said it was an abbreviation that was 'for victory'.
The celebration of the defenders of the Fatherland Day comes only one day before the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The NSW police said that officers were present to ensure compliance with traffic/to minimize traffic disturbance 'and that there were no incidents or arrests.
The convoy of a maximum of six vehicles, including UTES, motorbikes and a military truck, was slowly seen with a police escort along Campbell Parade, the road that runs parallel with the most famous beach in Australia in the eastern suburbs of Sydney (depicted)
It is regularly seen on Russian tanks and other military vehicles (photo) and the Russian Ministry of Defense said it was an abbreviation that was 'for victory'
Kateryna Argyyrou, co-chairman of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian organizations, said that the 'symbol was deliberately used to cause hatred.
'We strongly condemn the pro -Kremlin -Konvooi that was seen by Bondi on Sunday, with Russian flags and the “Z” symbol -a symbol used by the Russian state to be proud of the Russian army and its genocidal, murderous Actions in Ukraine, “said Argyyrou.
'It is disturbing to see this kind of convoy on the Australian coasts, especially on a day on which we remember the lost lives and the suffering caused by the Russian war against Ukraine.
“The” Z “symbol was deliberately used to harass and intimidate our community, which causes great suffering, especially among displaced Ukrainians who were forced to flee their houses and land after the full invasion.
“Pro-Kremlin agitators have previously tried to intimidate our community, to issue death threats and carry out attacks.”
A bewildered spectator was shocked to see a pro-Russian convoy in Australia.
“I'm Russian, and I'm really sorry for those people,” they said.
“It brings me a lot of shame, to the point that I never even tell people where I actually come from, because I am so embarrassed for where I was born, that Helles and people like them.”
The larger vehicles flew Russian flags and decorated with 'Z' symbols, which are widely used as a propaganda symbol to support Russia
“They are a shame and 100 percent of them are idiots,” said a second.
“Why is someone even here when they think their motherland is so great – go back,” added to the third.
Another said, “If they support this war in this way, they just have to do volunteer work for the front lines.”
On Monday, both Labor and the coalition released statements that Putin calls to end the war and to respect the sovereignty of Ukraine.
A joint statement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister of Defense Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong criticized 'Russia's illegal and immoral aggression war'.
“Australia mourns the loss of life of citizens and defenders of Ukraine, and the generationol of the brutality of Russia,” said the statement.
'Australia remains with Ukraine. We have committed more than $ 1.5 billion to help Ukraine defend itself, including more than $ 1.3 billion in military support through vital equipment for the battlefield and the training of Ukrainian troops. '
Both Labor and the Coalition published statements that Putin calls to end the war and to respect the sovereignty of Ukraine
The Albanian government has also shown that it had introduced new financial sanctions and travel prohibitions on 70 people and was aimed at financial sanctions on 79 entities, with the largest sanction package since February 2022.
'The new sanctions are aimed at people who are the illegal administrations of Russia in Eastern Ukraine and De Krim, including so-called' ministers', judges and prosecutors responsible for conflict-related sexual violence and forced deportation of Ukrainian children , 'And persons responsible for conflicts and the explanation of Ukrainian children, including the explanation, added the statement. .
“The sanctions are also aimed at people and entities involved in deepening military cooperation between Russia and Noord -Korea, including the use of North Korean troops in the battlefield.”
However, the coalition criticized the slow and weak support of the 'Albanian government for Ukraine'.
“We saw the government's refusal to deliver MRH-90 Taipan helicopters,” added the Coalition statement.
“Labor left our embassy in Kiev inexplicably for almost three years and ignored a request to support the energy needs of the nation.”
The statement, signed by opposition leader Peter Dutton, shadow minister of Foreign Affairs David Coleman and shadow minister of Defense Andrew Hastie, noted Putin a 'murderous despoot'.
“May a strong Ukraine, supported by strong friends, secure peace that comes from strength in 2025,” the explanation added.
'A peace that ensures that the coming generations ensure the safety and sovereignty of Ukraine.
“A peace that does not reward the murderous despoot Putin – because every reward would encourage other revanchist autocrats to step into his tyrannical footsteps.”
The explanation convicted Putin's 'illegal, non -provoked and horrible invasion' and is unambiguously committed to continuing to prove 'military equipment, supplies and help' to Ukraine.
Trump has proposed to allow Putin to retain Crimea, which he invaded and annexed in 2014, in exchange for the end of the war and the VolodyMyr Zenskyr from Ukraine has a 'dictator without elections' branded'
On Sunday Zensky said he would be willing to resign as a leader in exchange for peace and membership of NATO
Although Donald Trump is not mentioned, the statement leaves no doubt that Mr Dutton believes that Russia's reconciliation is the wrong way of acting.
Trump has proposed to allow Putin to retain Crimea, which he invaded in 2014 and annexed, in exchange for ending the war and has branded a 'dictator without elections' the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zensky.
On Sunday, Zensky said he would be willing to resign as a leader in exchange for peace and membership of NATO.
“If it is 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 the NATO (membership) if there is such a chance.
'I will do it immediately without a long conversation about it. I am focused on the safety of Ukraine today and not in 20 years. I don't intend to be in power for decades. '
