The 76-year-old artist taking on Russia's Vladimir Putin - BBC News

Artist Elena Osipova says that after Russia attacked Ukraine, she was so shocked, she didn't eat for three days. Then, filled with anger, she took to the streets to protest.

In her tiny St Petersburg apartment, the 76-year-old shares the anti-war placards she's made.

On one she's written: "Putin is war. We don't want to die for Putin."

Across Russia the authorities are trying to rally support for what the Russian military is doing in Ukraine.

#Ukraine #Russia #BBCNews

[RomanDobs]

I love this woman much respect from a Ukrainian, an artist, and fellow human.

[ruuuuudooooolph]

I saw this on news before. I kind of thought she was just asked to hold those signs by other protesters to show sympathy but I was wrong. She is an artist and she has made those signs herself. What a sweet old lady.

[tatianapetliar]

Elena Osipova is an artist whose posters are worthy of a museum. She goes to anti-war rallies a long time ago, from the first Chechen war. This is the whole history of the protest movement in Russia.

[chiara]

The works she showed in the protest are so beautiful and raw. I hope she's fine and safe.

[annahubar]

I am Ukrainian and what happens in my home is a horror you can't express in words. But to see that old lady who survived blockade of Saint Petersburg been taken by police, feels like that police lost all human they had. And people on the streets saying that they support this blood shed, is sad, 75% of whole population does not want it, but in order to survive there now, they have to lie and have to go with it. It is just sad how people turned into prisoners in their own country with no right to speak or to think

[krisa]

What a sweet old lady, poor her...and how brave she is..

[josimpson]

An exceptionally brave stand this old lady is taking - good to see there are some in Russia not buying Putins propaganda. Hope she remains safe. 🇺🇦❤️🇺🇦

[paulinewait]

What an inspiration this lady is. I take my hat off to you. & wish I could do more just don’t know how

[harleyr]

THANK YOU ELENA ... YOUR A BEAUTIFUL BRAVE WOMAN, SPEAKING UP FOR PEACE, FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY FOR ALL

[Roger-gojc]

This makes me feel really good. I love this woman. She is everything that putin is not.
She inspires people. She is gentle and powerful and creative.
putin puts people in graves. He threatens and scares them, what an empty leader.
This beautiful Elena, speaks truth with words and pictures to set us free.

[johokeen]

He may deny it, but Putin IS war as depicted by this elderly artist. I can only imagine the courage and conviction she possessed.

[life_Only]

Her art is far more powerful than pootin’s so called super sonic missiles

[chansfeet]

As a second generation Russian American, it's a real shame someone like her isn't the leader of Russia. I could only imagine how much better things would be.

[fernanmontevista]

Age doesn't choose to understand what an oligarch leader is.
My respect to you granny.

[nadze]

What a brave soul! Cudos to her brave fight against war machine! Long live the fighters of freedom!

[jessicaaguilar]

grand lady your love for art is a masterpiece and your courage is undisputedly undoubtedly that of a true Russian...God bless and protect you all!

[a]

Who the hell is Putin to bring her in?
I feel really really strong anger.
As a fellow woman, I stand in total solidarity with her.

[renetay]

She is a hero, a beautiful Russian lady expressing through her amazing art, standing up against Nazi Putin.🙏🌷⚘

[christinemeleg]

A woman of bravery! Her unending protests will get attention, and attention brings questions the Kremlin and Putin are terrified to answer. It is stted most Russians think that this is a anti Nazis "special action" how will they deny what happened when the soldiers come home cremated or alive with war wounds that don't heal?

[kamilziemian]

God bless all Russians like this brave woman.