ANTI-WAR protestors gathered in Civic Park on Sunday, calling for an end to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
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As nations around the world ramp up economic sanctions and Russia pushes further into its smaller western neighbour, advocates like Russian-born Uliana Vinogradova showed out in Civic Park pleading for an end to the violence.
"I don't believe war is a necessary measure nowadays so I don't believe people should be dying from either the Ukrainian or Russian side," Ms Vinogradova said.
Ms Vinogradova, who was in attendance with her son Mustafa, came to Australia around nine years ago and said the fighting has divided her family - some of which live in Ukraine.
"We have Ukranian relatives who aren't talking to us because it's too hard to raise the topic," she said.
"I have seen a lot of discrimination on Facebook by Ukrainian people, who I used to call my friends, toward Russian Australians because of what Putin is doing.
"I just want to show that I don't support what is happening."
Alexandra Pyatetskaya and Yury Skrynnik were raised in Russia and both had Ukranian parents.
Ms Pyatetskaya, who came to Australia around 30 years ago, said it is difficult to speak with her family in Russia because they are "brainwashed".
"It's been very hard to make contact with my family in Ukraine," Ms Pyatetskaya said.
"A lot of people I speak with in Russia are supporting Putin and they don't see the Ukranian side. They believe all the bombing is coming from Ukranian terrorists.
"The people who do speak out against Putin are being imprisoned."
Having lived in Australia for more than a decade, Mr Skrynnik wants to see more freedom of speech in Russia.
"It's not good. It's strange. It's not healthy for anyone," he said.
"We have an opposition party in Russia buts it's fake. If protestors are saying the war is no good, after maybe one minute there will be police everywhere.
"This is normal for Russia. It's a stupid situation."
Nico Leka from the Socialist Alliance was the organiser of Sunday's rally. He said it is important to hold these events in towns like Newcastle.
"Newcastle has a proud history of standing up to war," he said.
"We also have a history of standing up for workers rights and against racism. Newcastle is in many ways a beacon for Australian consciousness."
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