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Terrifying meaning behind marks on roofs in Ukraine

Ash Cant
·3-min read

Saboteurs have been marking roads and buildings in Ukraine's capital with crosses and circles, while residents frantically try to cover them up.

Anastasia Russo lives in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital which has been under attack by Russian forces, and resides on a street where buildings have been marked as targets.

The 25-year-old spoke to the Australian Associated Press while sheltering in her bathroom, while Russian forces shelled the city.

Pictured is 25-year-old Anastasia Russo, in her home in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Anastasia Russo, who lives in Ukraine's capital, is sheltering in her bathroom, while fighting Russian disinformation on social media. Source: AAP

"There is no bomb shelter around this house so my only hope is the bathroom is strong enough to protect me," she said.

Ms Russo has seen the saboteurs using spray paint to mark buildings and roads with crosses and circles, to guide aerial attacks.

"Many people are walking around the streets, even children, looking for these marks... we are doing everything we can to cover them," she said.

The local government has advised residents in Kyiv to report the targets to municipal security, paint them or cover them with dirt, and even use drones to check their buildings.

"Residents of high-rise buildings that have access to the roof, please urgently check the roof for signs," local government authorities said on social media.

"Tags on wood can be either painted or [covered] with reflective tape. The paint must be smeared with dirt, knocked down or covered with some objects," another warning said.

Pictured are the markings seen around Kyiv.
Residents in Kyiv are being told to cover up targets seen painted on buildings and on the street. Source: AAP

Ms Russo comes from a Russian-speaking family and in the wake of Russian forces invading Ukraine she has been doing her part.

She has been preparing sandbags and making fuses for molotov cocktails and on social media she has been fighting Russian disinformation.

"Russia says they do not attack civilians – that's a lie," she said.

"Our religion is freedom and dignity, that's why I believe we will win."

Russian forces expected to encircle capital

The US expects Russian forces will encircle Kyiv in the coming days.

However due to the slow advance in Kyiv, a senior US defence official said there is a chance Russian forces could become more aggressive out of frustration.

On Monday, Kharkiv, in northeast Ukraine was bombarded by Russia's military, killing at least 11 people.

On Tuesday, it was announced Australia will provide a further $70 million in support to Ukraine, including missiles and ammunition.

People clean-up the damage at an apartment complex after a rocket attack during Russia's attack on the Ukraine in Kharkivskiy District, Kyiv.
Russian forces attacked Kharkivskiy District, Kyiv, with initial reports saying eight were injured. Source: Sipa USA via AAP

"I don't plan to give the Russian government a heads up about what is coming their way, but I can assure them it is coming your way," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in Canberra.

"We will be answering the call from (Ukrainian) President Zelenskyy. He said, 'Don't give me a ride, give me ammunition', and that is exactly what the Australian government has agreed to do."

With AAP and Reuters

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