Russians are opposing President Vladimir Putin's warfare of their droves with greater than 1.5 million individuals signing a petition organized by a human rights activist calling for an finish to the battle.

Lev Ponomaryov, a outstanding political activist in Russia, began the Change.org petition titled "Cease the Struggle with Ukraine" after Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine per week in the past.

"We demand an instantaneous ceasefire by the Russian Armed Forces, and their fast withdrawal from the territory of the sovereign state of Ukraine," the petition mentioned, which as of Thursday, had surpassed its objective of 1.5 million signatures.

The petition described as "warfare criminals" those that determined to start out hostilities within the east of Ukraine, and "sanctioned aggressive and war-justifying propaganda within the Russian media."

"We'll search to carry them accountable for his or her deeds," the petition mentioned.

"Cease this felony warfare!" wrote one signatory, whereas one other mentioned, "what's occurring is sort of a horrible dream. No warfare!" Cease this insanity!"

On March 3, Ponomaryov requested for signatories' permission to have their names hooked up to the petition which might be handed to the Russian president on Saturday.

"The time has come for our public place to turn out to be an official enchantment to the political management of the nation, personally to the President of Russia," the petition replace revealed Thursday mentioned, and "we're in a rush, as a result of day by day of the continuation of the warfare is paid with a monstrous worth."

The petition additionally offered hyperlinks to open letters from a variety of organizations in Russia together with NGOs, academics' teams, scientists and native authorities employees who've publicly opposed the warfare.

Anger in opposition to the warfare in Ukraine is rising all through Russia the place many voters have shut ties with their neighbor.

Regardless of the specter of being focused by the authorities, the anti-war motion in Russia is gathering help on-line, by way of social networks and encrypted messaging companies resembling Telegram and Sign. On Tuesday, the hashtag #ЯпротивВойны (I am in opposition to the warfare) was trending in Russia.

Russians throughout the nation have risked arrest by protesting and as of Thursday morning, greater than 7,600 individuals had been detained in accordance with the OVD-Data human rights group.

On Tuesday, police in Moscow detained two ladies and 5 kids, aged 7 to 11, who wished to put flowers on the Ukrainian embassy. Photographs of their detention confirmed the youngsters holding a poster saying "No to Struggle" earlier than they had been reportedly launched hours later.

Within the Sakhalin area, in Russia's far east than 600 signed an open letter to Putin titled "We're in opposition to the warfare" and calling an instantaneous ceasefire. "We do not need to dwell in worldwide isolation."

Russian protest
A person holding up a placard studying "No to warfare!" protests in opposition to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in Saint Petersburg on February 24, 2022. Many Russians have taken to the streets and have signed a petition opposing Russia's invasion of Ukraine.SERGEI MIKHAILICHENKO/Getty