How green ribbons became a symbol of resistance against Vladimir Putin’s war

telegraph.co.uk:  Green ribbons are appearing in public spaces across Russia in an expression of protest against Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.

Anti-war activists have adopted green – a mixture of the blue and yellow colours on the Ukrainian flag – as a symbol of resistance to counter the Kremlin’s “Z” logo, which has become the Russian state’s pro-war icon.

With a totalitarian ban on voicing dissent, the green ribbon has emerged as a morale booster.

“Green ribbons are really important,” said one Twitter user who called himself “Raven of Peace”.

“I felt so empty before I noticed three green ribbons in my city. It is very important to feel connected right now. Especially after talking with relatives who believe the TV.”

The Kremlin has banned any negative talk of its war in Ukraine and has flooded state-controlled TV with propaganda of Russian soldiers handing out food parcels to grateful Ukrainians and freeing the country of “Nazis”.

Few Russians get to see videos of their army’s heavy bombing, which has destroyed cities in Ukraine, killing thousands of civilians and forcing more than four million people to flee the country.

Anti-war protesters make their mark

 “Green ribbons, circulated as a symbol of protest, are increasingly seen on the streets. People tie them on clothes, fences and cars,” said the Spring youth movement, which has emerged since the start of the war as one of the most active opponents of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

The colour also reflects the fact Volodymyr Zelensky’s surname is similar to the word “green” in Russian.

In photographs seen by The Telegraph, emerald green ribbons tied to statues, railings and lamp posts in several cities flutter in the breeze, while a video shows people wearing green ribbons on a metro system.

At large anti-war protests at the start of March, several women wore green ribbons on their hair.

Police in Russia appear to have been briefed on the significance of green ribbons; video from recent days shows riot police detaining a young woman wearing a green ribbon tied to her backpack.

News of the ribbons came as Russian police ramped up attacks on anti-war protesters. Not only are those who mention the war arrested, but even those who say “I am for peace” are rounded up.

The international community is hoping that the loyalty of some Russians to the Kremlin leadership may be tested as tough international sanctions bite.

Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president, said on Friday that the measures would only galvanise Russians’ ability to endure. He said sanctions that had targeted powerful oligarchs would have no effect on Putin.

He said: “Let us ask ourselves: can any of these major businessmen have even the tiniest quantum of influence of the position of the country’s leadership? I openly tell you: no, no way.”

Mr Medvedev also criticised any show of dissent. He was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying: “You can be dissatisfied with some of the authorities’ decisions, criticise the authorities – this is normal.

“But you cannot take a stand against the state in such a difficult situation, because this is treason.”

Kremlin supporters target ‘traitors’

Talk of “traitors” appears to be fuelling intimidatory attacks by hardcore Kremlin supporters who support Russia’s war against Ukraine, which it says is a mission of “de-Nazification”.

Several anti-war activists have had their front doors sprayed with the letter “Z”.

On Thursday, Alexei Venediktov, the former editor of the now-closed radio station Echo-Moskvi, posted photos on Telegram of a pig’s head left outside his front door.

A sticker had also been stuck to the door bearing the Ukrainian trident and the words: “Jewish pig”.