Even as Russians continue to bomb Ukraine, the people are digging in their heels to fight for their country.
Resistance comes in many forms, and sometimes even just standing your ground can be revolutionary. One of the greatest acts of resistance is that of "tank man." An unidentified man stood in front of a column of tanks in Tiananmen Square, Beijing on June 5, 1989, to protest the Chinese government's violent crackdown on the Tiananmen protests from a day earlier. While the official figures were significantly lower, it is believed that at least 10,000 people died on that day. Tank man has never been identified, with rumors claiming he was jailed or killed. It might have been only one man, standing up to one of the most powerful governments, but it was an act of revolution that still inspires across the world.
As Russia invades Ukraine, the resistance of the people in the country is inspiring people from all parts of the world to rally for their cause. From donning a yellow and blue dress to expressing solidarity through street art and even showing compassion to the enemy, Ukrainians are standing up for themselves. Leading them from the front is President Zelenskyy who was initially rumored to have fleed the country. He rubbished the claims and posted a video from Kyiv and reassured the people that he was never going to abandon the people. Even as the death toll rises, Ukrainians only seem to be digging their heels in further, displaying great resolve.
Here are some acts of resistance that we came across, against the war, and in solidarity with the Ukrainians:
Ukrainian woman confronts Russian soldiers in Henychesk, Kherson region. Asks them why they came to our land and urges to put sunflower seeds in their pockets [so that flowers would grow when they die on the Ukrainian land] pic.twitter.com/ztTx2qK7kB
— UkraineWorld (@ukraine_world) February 24, 2022
I’m here for all of the Ukraine trash talking. #DefendUkraine #StandWithUkriane pic.twitter.com/aysrLPWluE
— G.W.O. (@gwo_design) February 27, 2022
Bloody hell. Looking at a message from the Ukraine Library Association concerning the cancellation of their forthcoming conference. it basically says "We will reschedule just as soon as we have finished vanquishing our invaders". Ukrainian Librarians, I salute you
— Nicholas Poole (@NickPoole1) February 28, 2022
Georgian oil tanker refuses to fuel a Russian ship. The Russians: “Common, let’s leave politics aside! We just need fuel!” Georgians: “Russian ship, go f..yourself. Glory to Ukraine! And you can always use oars, so, row!” pic.twitter.com/r2RhJvnrwP
— Fatima Tlis (@fatimatlis) February 27, 2022
Moscow underground. Sometimes the act of resistance doesn’t have to be loud or bold, it just has to be. #Ucrania #Ukraine #Kyiv #Kiev #SlavaUkraini pic.twitter.com/6A90JsnsDH
— The Panda Fama (@ThePandaFama1) February 27, 2022
This is Ukraine: residents of a town Dubno in Rivne region and nearby villages made 2,5 tons (!) of dumplings to send to the hospitals in Kyiv and the region. Making homemade food is one way to show care in this country.
— Olga Tokariuk (@olgatokariuk) March 2, 2022
Photo by https://t.co/VgFqXhAwdZ pic.twitter.com/GQXgK3kJZP
"Let those Russian sh*ts come here. We are ready to greet them!"
— Mediaite (@Mediaite) March 1, 2022
One Ukrainian grandmother shows @clarissaward her arsenal of Molotov cocktails. pic.twitter.com/33SDHmdUC7
In Melitopol, unarmed Ukrainians are confronting the Russian soldiers. They are chanting "Occupants" and pushing the vehicles back. pic.twitter.com/PMges2cHhU
— Franak Viačorka (@franakviacorka) March 1, 2022
"What the f.k are you doing here? I am Russian too, but I live in this state. You have your country, we have ours. Don't you have problems in your country to solve? Are you all rich there, as in the Emirates? You're just puppets"
— Olga Tokariuk (@olgatokariuk) February 26, 2022
Love this gradpa in Melitopol, Zaporizhia region https://t.co/r0VZDsxa4P
Let me introduce you to Miss Ukraine Anastasiia Lenna. Ukraine has 36,000 women serving in the military. The most women of any military. #UkraineWar #UkraineUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/EvLF40GSWC
— Bob Ossowski 🇺🇦 (@backwoodsbob1) February 26, 2022
#Anonymous takes down Russian Space Agency website againhttps://t.co/Lviar5qdLm > OFF
— Anonymous (@LatestAnonPress) March 3, 2022
A Ukrainian mechanic opened up valves and partially sunk his Russian oligarch boss’ yacht. He said in court today: “I don’t regret anything I’ve done and would do it again. My boss is a criminal who sells weapons that kill the Ukrainian people.”https://t.co/0nTG1Vx8Qy
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) February 28, 2022
Thanks for the Gas! Ukranian civilians "borrowing" fuel from a abandoned BTR of the Russian Invaders. #StopPutin #StandWithUkriane #UkraineUnderAttack #Ukraine#UkraineWar #UkraineRussiaWar pic.twitter.com/ioGggbRDVG
— нещасний Яків (@jake_greene1996) February 28, 2022
Someone posted a photo of this 80-year-old who showed up to join the army, carrying with him a small case with 2 t-shirts, a pair of extra pants, a toothbrush and a few sandwiches for lunch. He said he was doing it for his grandkids. pic.twitter.com/bemD24h6Ae
— Kateryna Yushchenko (@KatyaYushchenko) February 24, 2022
The #Ukrainian People are #badass! They are taking on all comers & as humanely as possible, when warranted. Be you an invader or a looter, they are not having NONE of it. https://t.co/CldF4hUbtj
— Abenaa (@QueenAbenaa) March 1, 2022
A priceless exchange of a brave Ukrainian citizen with Russian army stuck out of fuel. ENGLISH SUBTITLES.
— Ali 🇺🇦🕊 (@aliostad) February 26, 2022
[Thanks to my Ukrainian friend for transcription and translation] pic.twitter.com/Rar3WRXEwD
Morning in Kherson. A brave man is waving Ukrainian flags in front of Russian infantry and armored vehicles on Svoboda Square. pic.twitter.com/LwUgItMeSI
— Спутник News АТО 🇺🇦 (@SputnikATO) March 2, 2022
Found online. 🇺🇦 #Chernivtsi. People in roll chairs doing Molotov cocktails. Or, as we say, “Ukrainian smoothies”. #BoycottRussia #Urkaine #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/jR6IZZQDKI
— olexander scherba🇺🇦 (@olex_scherba) March 2, 2022
Russian civilians protesting against the Ukrainian war, saying “We stand with you Ukraine.” This is extremely brave being as it is a Criminal Offence in Russia to protest, even if it’s a silent protest. 💙🙏💙 pic.twitter.com/gwT0uMkHDn
— Craig David Adams (@craigadams05) February 26, 2022
Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a developing story, and we’ll update as we learn more. Information is swiftly changing and Upworthy is committed to providing the most recent and verified updates in our articles and reportage. However, considering the frequency in developments, some of the information/data in this article may have changed since the time of publication.