The war in Ukraine moves people all over the world and motivates politicians to impose sanctions, companies to make statements, people to demonstrate and touching acts of solidarity – but it also fuels feelings of hatred, especially against Russian citizens.
Although many Russians are resolutely opposed to Putin’s war, they now face discrimination and hostility in many places. Since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, there have also been incidents of this kind in Austria, including last weekend.
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When a businesswoman wanted to go to her car in a parking garage in the 21st district of Vienna, she was confronted with a nasty surprise: the tires of her black Mercedes Benz S-Class (cost around 100,000 euros) were punctured, the paint was damaged completely scratched, especially on the side doors.
The reason for the clearly targeted attack on her car was quickly found: her Russian license plate, which also shows signs of vandalism. The person concerned presented the video recordings and photos as evidence to eXXpress.
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Not only the Russian businesswoman’s Benz, but also the Russian Embassy in Vienna was the target of anti-Russian attacks over the weekend: On Sunday, the Russian Embassy reported a paint bag attack. Using the social medium Twitter – which is currently blocked in Russia – the diplomatic mission of the aggressor state in Ukraine published a photo showing red paint on the embassy board and parts of the embassy fence. “We are submitting a protest to the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” said the embassy, referring to the “barbaric action.”
The police are investigating the alleged perpetrator, who is said to have fled on a motorcycle.
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Very similar attacks on Russian embassies were also carried out in Ireland and London shortly after Russian troops invaded Ukraine. There, vandals had daubed the Russian double-headed eagle in front of the embassies with blood-red paint.
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