Ukrainian Feminist Group Femen Stages Shocking Topless Protest at the UN—Here’s What Happened

Ukrainian women protesting topless against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine were arrested by police outside the UN headquarters.

According to reports from the Associated Press News and other international media outlets on Wednesday, activists from the Ukrainian feminist group “Femen” held a protest against the war in Ukraine in front of the UN headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on Saturday.

Two female protesters bared their chests, which were painted with the slogans “F—- russia” and “Stop mines.” They also wore blue and yellow bands on their legs, representing the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

Despite freezing temperatures, activists shouted protest slogans as they partially dismantled a forty-foot-tall giant chair with a broken leg using a chainsaw. The artwork, symbolizing the physical mutilation caused by landmines, advocates for a ban on destructive weapons in warfare.

Local authorities arrested three activists following the demonstration. Femen demanded an end to the war in Ukraine and Russia’s expulsion from the UN. The group criticized the international body, stating, “The U.N. was created to ensure peace, but its failure to stop the aggressor only adds to the tragedy of symbols such as the Broken Chair, a reminder of the human suffering caused by anti-personnel mines.”

They further declared, “Ukraine has become a victim of betrayal and military aggression, and the world cannot cover itself with monuments, remaining indifferent while we are being destroyed.”

Femen was founded in Ukraine on April 10, 2008, by Anna Hutsol, Sasha Shevchenko, and Oksana Shachko. The group initially protested against the sex industry with the slogan, “Ukraine is not a brothel.” These days, they oppose all forms of oppression against human freedom and dignity, including sexism, dictatorship, and religious extremism.

Femen, known for its topless protests, emphasizes that baring their breasts is a demonstration of being unarmed, underscoring their commitment to a fundamentally non-violent struggle.