Russian ambassador to Poland Sergey Andreev was splattered with red paint (symbolic of Ukrainian blood spilt) by protestors on Monday on the occasion of Victory Day as he attempted to pay his respects to Red Army soldiers who died during World War II at a Warsaw cemetery, reported Associated Press.
According to media reports, the red paint was thrown on him in protest to Russia’s invasion and ongoing war in Ukraine.
The assault on the ambassador drew the ire of the Kremlin, with Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova denouncing the attack, saying that “we won’t be scared” while the “people of Europe should be scared to see their reflection in a mirror.”
Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau described the incident as “highly deplorable.”
“Diplomats enjoy special protection, regardless of the policies pursued by the governments that they represent,” he said.
Ambassador Sergey Andreev arrived at the Soviet soldiers’ cemetery to lay flowers on Victory Day, which marks the defeat of Nazi Germany by the Allies.
This major patriotic day in the Russian cultural calendar was celebrated with pomp and ceremony with a parade at Red Square in Moscow.
