Pro-Putin activist uses anti-vax protest appearance to promote Russia
A notorious pro-Russia activist has used an address at an anti-vaccine protest to sprout misinformation about the Ukraine invasion.
A prominent pro-Putin activist has used an anti-vaccination protest in Sydney to sprout misinformation about the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Video posted to social media showed Simeon Boikov, who goes by the name Aussie Cossack online, showed the Russian nationalist addressing the crowd outside of Scott Morrison’s official residence, Kirribilli House.
“This latest act by the West, what it is a deep state. It’s not Russia versus Ukraine. It’s Russia versus the New World Order,” he told the crowd.
“It’s Russia versus the deep state.”
He also claimed reports his young wife had taken an apprehended violence order out on him as “garbage”.
“I demand an apology,” he shouted.
Mr Boikov appeared with an entourage of two men, who stood behind him waving Russian flags. He noted there were several others in the crowd in addition to some Ukrainian flags.
His pro-Russia rhetoric has ramped up in recent weeks. In a video posted to Facebook, he claimed Ukrainian civilians in the southeast areas of the country were “happy” for Russia to liberate them.
“This has been an outstanding operation by the Russians. The only reason why you guys out there who are criticising are confused is because you are used to the American style of war,” he said in the video.
Other speakers at the Kirribilli House protest encouraged people to vote for anti-vaccine mandate candidates.
Prior to the speeches, the crowd could be seen blasting John Farnham’s greatest hits and dancing along.
Meanwhile in Melbourne, a much larger crowd gathered outside of Parliament House before marching down Spencer Street towards Flinders Street Station.
Protesters could be heard chanting “Save Australia” and “no more mandates”.
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