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Yelena Osipova: Outrage after video of 77-year-old Russian activist being arrested goes viral

Osipova, one of the last survivors of the Siege of Leningrad, was arrested by 8 policemen for holding signs urging soldiers to lay down their arms

Yelena Osipova was arrested in Russia on Wednesday, March 2, while protesting the invasion of Ukraine in St. Petersburg. The 77-year-old went viral on social media after footage of her being taken into custody by police started circulating.

Osipova is one of the last survivors of the Siege of Leningrad, an 872-day siege from the Nazi invasion of Russia back in 1941. She was spotted holding signs urging soldiers and troops to lay down their arms and stop the war. As per reports, more than 7,600 people were arrested for protesting against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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"Spine tingling. Yelena Osipova, one of the last survivors from the Siege of Leningrad, tonight arrested by 8 police in St Petersburg for asking for an end to the war," the video was captioned. "One of most powerful to come across in showcasing opposition within Russia to the invasion. Ukraine War enters second week this evening with thousands getting detained in Russia for opposing it," another tweet read.

"Something is changing. And it's in the little things - always the little things, because that's where it always begins. Watch what's happening - people are challenging Putin's SS. Elbowing them, pushing them even. Big things have small beginnings. #UkraineRussiaWar #Russia," a user mused under the video.

Osipova's banners and posters read, "Son: don't go to this war! Soldier! Drop your weapons and you will be a real hero! Don't shoot!" Anti-war demonstrations have taken place in more than 100 Russian cities since the country's invasion of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, two women and five children were detained in Moscow for placing flowers near the Ukrainian embassy. The children were holding one poster that read, 'No to war' and another which featured a Russian flag and a Ukrainian flag together with a heart.

Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba, tweeted, "Putin is at war with children. In Ukraine, where his missiles hit kindergartens and orphanages, and also in Russia. 7 y.o. David and Sofia, 9 y.o. Matvey, 11 y.o. Gosha and Liza spent this night behind bars in Moscow for their 'NO TO WAR' posters. This is how scared the man is."

Who is Yelena Osipova?

Yelena Osipova is a 77-year-old Russian artist and anti-war activist born in 1944. She is also one of the last survivors of the siege of Leningrad, now known as St. Petersburg. The siege that lasted 872 days happened back in 1941, leading to the death of more than one million people. It began on September 8, 1941, and ended on January 24, 1944, when Osipova was still a baby.

"I graduated from an art school. It was then called the Tauride Art School, now it is the Roerich Art School. I had been influenced by the frescoes of Andrei Rublev and Dionisius, by the size of their figures and their schematic manner. But young women were just not admitted to the monumental painting program, and I have no regrets about it now. What would I have done? Painted murals in the subway? I am an artist and educator. I taught for over thirty years. We organized three art schools from scratch," Osipova told The Russian Reader.

While talking about the protests she has been a part of, she revealed, "I have been detained many times since, sometimes quite roughly." She further added, "At one point, I thought that maybe there was no need for this, and I wanted to quit, but people said I should do it and told me I gave them hope."

After the video of Osipova's arrest went viral, users praised her for her courage and bravery. "You have to respect the courage of the Russian #antiwar protestors, they come out day after day in defence of freedom Russian police in St Petersburg have detained an elderly survivor of the Nazi Siege of Leningrad Yelena Osipova at an #antiwar protest," said a user. Another added, "I interviewed this incredible woman back in 2016. She’s been standing up to the regime for decades. Her name is Yelena Osipova. She is so brave."

One user tweeted, "I love this woman, artist, activist. I am in awe of her bravery. Yelena Osipova... I did not know about her until just now seeing this March 2nd post (source unknown) and did an online search. [blue heart emoji] here is more about her," while another wrote, "Yelena Osipova, artist and political activist, arrested today for standing up to the dictator and his war. She survived 900 days of Nazi siege of her city. She knows the price of war. That's why she's standing up. What an inspiration. [raised fist emoji]".