AMHERST — On the day Russian troops launched a military offensive in Ukraine, a professor in Moscow protesting the government’s action was beaten by police officers until he lost consciousness.
Though released from custody and able to remain in the country, Nikita Gorbylev, a former Russian officer once taught by the professor, says this punishment was light, considering that speaking out against President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine can mean a sentence of 20 years in prison.
For Gorbylev, though, having Russian citizens condemn war in Ukraine is critical.
“We all feel betrayed by Putin,” Gorbylev said as he stood on the sidewalk during a rally in Amherst center Friday afternoon. “We support all Russian citizens who are protesting what Putin and his mobs are doing on behalf of our names.”
Joined by his wife, Oksana Zapletina, a graduate student in the psychology and brain sciences department at the University of Massachusetts, as well as friends and other local Russians, Gorbylev said he feels fortunate that their voices can be heard. They were holdings signs reading “Putin: hands off Ukraine” and “Stop this war,” written in Russian, English and Ukrainian, along with makeshift Ukrainian flags.
A larger march and rally also gathered on the Amherst Town Common later in the day, with people holding blue and yellow balloons to show solidarity with Ukraine.
“We are against this war,” Gorbylev said, with tears welling up in his eyes. “We do support all the Ukrainian people who are suffering right now.”
Zapletina, an ethnic Ukrainian who grew up in Russia, said she still has two sisters and other family members in Russia, though they are essentially trapped and without voices.
“They can do nothing there. They’re trying to figure out how to live in the country, but it’s a really complicated situation,” Zapletina said.
While some Russians are posting their thoughts on Instagram and other social media outlets, Zapletina said most everything is being blocked from the internet.
“It’s really hard to speak against this in Russia. People have a really huge fear,” she said.
While showing support for Ukraine by holding the rally, Zapletina said, she is in turn feeling support from friends and colleagues. At the same time, she said, “I hope people close to me will change their position about the situation.”
Gorbylev said people should donate to the United Nations or the National Bank of Ukraine to help the people of Ukraine and the refugees who are leaving the country.
“It’s a really dangerous time right now,” Gorbylev said.
One of the other demonstrators would only identify herself as a Russian living in Amherst, and while she feels safe in the United States, she is nervous about having to return to her homeland.
“I have friends in jail right now because they are protesting the war,” she said.
As vehicles passed by, some drivers honked and others waved in agreement.
“People do support us,” Gorbylev said. “We are very pleased that we’re getting support from American citizens.”
One friend joining the action was Jenna Croteau of Westfield, who works with Zapletina. An outcome she would like to see is the United States offering asylum to Ukrainians and Russians.
“I don’t condone violence of any kind, so I hope there can be a peaceful resolution very soon,” Croteau said.