Dozens of Russians living in Cyprus held an anti-mobilisation rally on Wednesday evening after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his plans to draft up to 300,000 military reservists to fight in Ukraine as Russian forces started to lose ground.

The small demonstration was held outside the Russian embassy in Nicosia, with equivalent rallies in Limassol and Paphos, and participants held placards with anti-war slogans, vocalising their solidarity to the people of Ukraine.

Some of the participants told local media that they had abandoned their homes in Russia after their government launched a “special operation” in Ukraine.

Some even said they had participated in similar rallies in Russia earlier this year, where they were arrested and fined.

According to Reuters, more than 1,300 people have been detained so far in Moscow and St. Petersburg for denouncing the mobilisation.

Participants told Phileleftheros that the Russian community of Cyprus intends to continue protesting in an attempt to send the message to the Russian authorities that the Russian people are against the war and that both sides should lay down their arms and work towards a diplomatic solution.