Resistance to War in Ukraine: Actions, News, Analyses, and Resources for Nonviolence
On this page, we will keep track of nonviolent resistance actions that taking place around the war in Ukraine and other news, actions, and resources. Check in regularly.
A note:
While the best time to begin nonviolence is at several stages before war emerges, we will find nonetheless that many forms of nonviolent action are taking place and it helps to share these stories widely to counter any narrative that promotes war. This also means searching the media for articles that try not to demonize or dehumanize, and fill in a wider picture that shows how accountability to and for this situation goes beyond one leader, questioning instead our collective imagination that has been colonized by violent solutions in the first place. May we collectively learn the lessons for nonviolence that the intensified focus on this conflict is bringing to light.
UPDATE: Encouraged by the utility of this page, we are beginning a project of resource lists to highlight and orient people to examples of nonviolent action in other violent conflicts around the world. It should be an excellent resource and we can use your help. Send a note via the link at the bottom of the site to volunteer if you would like to help us!
Updated: April 11
Maria Stephan, PhD, co-author of Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict, talks about the power of nonviolent, nonmilitary actions in Ukraine.
Actions inside of Russia and from Russians
Woman interrupts Russian newscast protesting war in Ukraine
Russia’s Antiwar Protesters Are Terrified And still marching.
An anti-war protester in Moscow says the risk of arrest is worth it
Police arrest more than 3,000 people as protests grow across Russia.
This morning on the Moyka River in St. Petersburg. Someone wrote "No to War" on the river's ice.
"No To War": Entire Staff Of Russian TV Channel Resigns Live On-Air
Russians are against the war on Ukraine! (Long resource in Russian and English)
Russian Environmentalist Speaks Out on Putin’s Attack on Antiwar Protesters & Independent Media
Top-manager of RU search engine Yandex resigned over its decision to block truth about war
Pensioner arrested at anti-war protest in Russia
Some Russian oligarchs speak out, cautiously, against war
Russian mothers and children arrested for protesting war
Russian Billionaire Roman Abramovich To Sell Chelsea FC–Donate Proceeds To Help Victims In Ukraine
Russian Billionaire Behind Revolut Fintech App Publishes Anti-War Letter
Russian Official Apologizes for Ukraine Invasion at UN Climate Summit
Russian troops have 'deliberately punched holes' in their own gas tanks
Chronicles of Russian Resistance: Reports on the opposition to war inside Putin’s Russia
Thousands of Russians are attempting to flee in order to dodge conscription.
Russian official apologises for war in Ukraine at UN climate meet
Russians hold anti-war rallies amid ominous threats by Putin
‘Russia is against war’: Thousands rally in rare show of dissent, Al Jazeera, 2.24
Over 1,700 Russians detained during anti-war demonstrations
Over 900,000 Russians sign petition to end war in Ukraine
Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev writes 'No War Please' after Dubai semifinal win
Citizen and Other Actions Inside Ukraine*
Russian soldiers release Ukraine town’s mayor and agree to leave after protests
Hundreds of Ukrainians protest against invasion in Kherson days after Russia seizes city
Civilians chant and film Russian military away
Ukraine’s Zelensky to Russians: ‘What are you fighting for and with whom?’
Ukraine is asking Russian mothers to come pick up their sons captured in Putin's invasion
Workers and citizens block Russian army from road to nuclear power plant
Man allegedly removes landmine with bare hands
Roadsigns changed to send messages to occupying Russian military
At the Ukrainian border, a mother brings a stranger's children to safety
Video of Ukrainian ‘tank man’ trying to block Russian military convoy goes viral
Ukrainian man offers to tow Russian tank back to Russia after it runs out of fuel
“Flight” as a nonviolent option in escalated conflict, more than 425k Ukrainians flee country
In sign of lack of fear, unarmed woman approaches Russian soldiers with a message, and it goes viral
Ukrainian citizens stop Russian tank as a group
Raising people’s spirits, Ukrainian farmer allegedly steals Russian tank using his tractor
Reports from Within Ukraine
Nonviolence Int’l in Kyiv: Resistance Mounts to Russian Invasion as 2,000 Civilian Deaths Reported
Ukrainian Pacifist’s Message to the World: U.S., NATO & Russia Share Responsibility to Avoid War
People of colour struggle to escape Russian invasion of Ukraine
“Ukrainians Only”: Nigerian Student Fleeing War Describes Rampant Racism Against Africans at Border
Citizen Actions Around Globe
7 Ukrainian refugees are taken in by a Russian immigrant in Germany
Squatters have taken over a London mansion linked to a Russian oligarch
In Poland, protesters demand a ban on road cargo traffic between the E.U. and Russia and Belarus.
Musicians took part in a flashmob in London’s Trafalgar Square, to show solidarity with Ukraine.
Russian embassy road in Vilnius to be named 'Ukrainian Heroes Street'
Volunteers extend help to thousands of refugees from Ukraine
Kremlin website goes down as Russian TV channels ‘hacked to play Ukrainian songs’
Anonymous leaks database of the Russian Ministry of Defense
Street art in response to conflict
Greta Thunberg's climate activist group to launch protests against Russian invasion of Ukraine
Tech and Big Business Actions
Musk says Starlink active in Ukraine as Russian invasion disrupts internet
Big Tech restricts Russian state media from buying ads
BP retreats from Russia's Rosneft at cost of $25 bln over Ukraine invasion
Airbnb is working to provide free, short-term housing for up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees
TikTok war: How Russia's invasion of Ukraine played to social media's youngest audience
Political Actions excluding Generalized Sanctions
*Generalized Sanctions have been removed from this list because their intent is “punishment” of civilian populations. Targeted sanctions will be included.
United Nations allocates $40 million to help Ukraine
ICC to begin investigation into possible war crimes in Ukraine
Kazakhstan refuses to send troops to Ukraine to join fighting for Russians
Germany seizes Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov’s $600m superyacht – report
Switzerland freezes Putin’s assets, breaking with past practice to join sanctions
Ukraine’s Volunteer ‘IT Army’ Is Hacking in Uncharted Territory
Putin’s allies abandon him over Ukraine invasion
Departing from protocol, Pope goes to Russian embassy over Ukraine
Vatican offers to help talks between Ukraine and Russia
‘We will take care of you,’ Slovakia tells Ukrainians fleeing invasion
Statements, Appeals, and Signs of Solidarity including Protest Actions
“In Indian Country, people are wearing Kokum scarves for solidarity with Ukraine”
Statement from the Gandhi Development Trust and Phoenix Settlement Trust, Ela Gandhi
NO WAR! Voices for peace from civil society worldwide, FOR
Fellowship of Reconciliation Statement on Ukraine
War Resistors International Statement on War in Ukraine
An Interfaith Call to Peace for Ukraine, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
War is out-dated, non-violence is the only way: Dalai Lama on Russia-Ukraine war
Major cities showing symbolic solidarity with Ukraine: Twitter
In Japan and across Asia, an outpouring of support for Ukraine
Russian Vodka Is Getting Taken Off The Shelves Over Putin's Invasion Of Ukraine
Protesters around the world condemn Putin’s military invasion, express solidarity with Ukraine
Pax Christi USA’s statement on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict’s Statement on Ukraine
War Prevention Initiative: “Nonviolent alternatives must be pursued in Ukraine to deescalate war.”
Nonviolence International calls for asylum for war resisters, Feb 24, 2022
Pax Christi’’s Letter to Pope Francis encouraging more mediating intervention from Pope
Community of Sant'Egidio: An appeal for a ceasefire and for Kyiv to be proclaimed an "open city".
A statement on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the threat of nuclear weapons, Anna Ikeda
Pope called for March 2nd Ash Wednesday to be a day of fasting and prayer for this war
Analyses and Resources
5 ways to support courageous nonviolent resistance in Ukraine
How the Russian people can end Putin's war
What would be signs protests in Russia are making a difference?
War is a Crime Against Humanity: An interview with Joanne Sheehan of War Resisters League
It’s time to take inspiration from Ukraine and double down on global democratic solidarity
The U.S. Should Respond to Putin’s Unconscionable Invasion of Ukraine With Diplomacy, Not War
How Ukraine has become the crucible of the new world order
This is what it's like inside Russia's anti-war movement
Ten points on Ukraine from a peace policy perspective
Ukraine’s secret weapon may prove to be civilian resistance
The dangerous assumption that violence keeps us safe
We Can’t Trust Everything We See About the Livestreamed War
Putin’s Not the “Genius”—Russia’s Anti-War Protesters Are
Addressing Racial Bias in Media Reports of Conflict
Booklist highlighting alternative approaches to war in Ukraine
Putin’s Invasion, De-escalation and negotiation are the only way out of this crisis.
Analysis: Ukraine doesn’t need to match Russia’s military might to defend against invasion
Film: The Orange Revolution, about 2004 nonviolent actions in Ukraine from the ICNC
Ukrainians vs. Putin: Potential for Nonviolent Civilian-Based Defense
Commentary: This is how we defeat Putin and other petrostate autocrats, Bill McKibben
Condemn War Everywhere Facebook Post: Airstrikes in 48 hours globally
Art and Poetry and Symbolism
These Ukrainian artists capture the country's spirit and the war's toll
How sunflowers became a symbol of Ukrainian resistance
I want to be a Ukrainian, Meg Wheatley
I No Longer Pray for Peace (poem)