Protester in Mariehamn marks 950 days of activism against Putin’s war in Ukraine

The message on the cardboard sign is clear: “Putin, go home!” Mosse Wallen, a resident of Mariehamn, has been carrying this sign for 950 days in support of Ukraine. Every day at 5 PM, Wallen joins many others in front of the Russian consulate to participate in the protest.

Protesters in Mariehamn share their feelings with journalist Lassi Lähteenmäki, reflecting on hundreds of days of activism. Regardless of the weather, supporters gather to sing together, play the Ukrainian national anthem, and chant phrases like “Stop the war!” Over the summer, Wallen noted that many new friends joined the protests, and some brought their pets, forming a group dubbed “dogs against Putin.”

As the milestone of a thousand days of protests approaches, Wallen has indicated that special plans are in the works for the occasion. However, he emphasizes the darker side of this significant number—while the protests gather attention, they underscore the ongoing suffering due to the war. “The war has lasted as long as this protest. Not only Ukrainians but the entire world is suffering,” Wallen states. Despite the lack of significant movement from the consulate—describing that the consulates’ staff occasionally comes outside to wave but offer no real response—Wallen remains committed to raising awareness through these daily demonstrations.