A Russian national was arrested in Florida for tearing down Ukrainian flags and assaulting a woman

A 57-year-old man, a native of Russia, has been arrested in the U.S. on suspicion of tearing down Ukrainian flags and assaulting a participant in a peaceful protest in Florida. The incident occurred on April 21 in Pinellas Park.

This was reported by Vinograd.

According to police, the man parked his car near a pedestrian bridge, climbed onto the overpass, and tore down two Ukrainian flags attached to a fence.

When a 55-year-old female protester approached him demanding that he return the flags, he claimed they were “illegal,” after which, according to investigators, he shoved the woman several times. As a result, she sustained minor injuries.

Police identified the suspect from video footage and arrested him at his residence in Seminole. During a search, the stolen flags were found in his garage.

The man admitted to tearing down the flags, explaining that he was outraged by the support for Ukraine. He also claimed that protests featuring Ukrainian symbols are illegal.

He was arrested on suspicion of robbery with the use of force. He is currently in custody awaiting a court hearing.

Another murder of a Ukrainian citizen who had moved to the U.S. due to the war has occurred. On February 14, 21-year-old Kateryna Tovmash was shot and killed in North Carolina. The young woman had moved to the U.S. after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, seeking safety and shelter. Law enforcement is currently investigating the circumstances of the crime.

A 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee was killed in the U.S.