Ukraine war: Russian diplomats trolled with parking space in Ukrainian colours
Russian diplomats in the Finnish city of Turku can see reminders of Ukraine everywhere they go, at work or at home.
A prominent bridge in Turku, which is on Finland's southwest coast, has been lit up in the colours of the Ukrainian flag since shortly after the Russian invasion.
Meanwhile, a local man hoisted a Ukrainian flag up a tree right next to the Russian Consulate General.
But now an artist has taken the trolling to a whole new level by painting the personal parking space of Russia's Consul General blue and yellow, right outside the apartment building where he lives -- so the senior diplomat has no option but to see it when he drives to work each day.
Turku authorities have allowed the colouring to remain.
Armed with buckets of paint and some rollers, Jarno Virtala put on a high-viz vest and got to work painting the flag in front of the apartment building, which is owned by the Russian state.
He was soon joined by a passer-by, Markus Mattson, who was on the way to work but stopped and offered to help.
"We held a two-man referendum on annexing the parking spot to Ukraine, 100% of the voters agreed with the proposal," Mattson wrote on social media.
"No disagreeing proposals were expressed, so we decided to celebrate the result by painting a flag of Ukraine on the spot," he added.
Local authorities have also been happy to leave the new 'artwork' in place, especially since it adds to their own efforts to show solidarity with Ukraine.
"The city of Turku wants to indicate our ongoing support to Ukraine and the Ukrainians as long as Russia continues its brutal attack war. Turku has been powerful in its actions to help Ukraine and it is important that the support is also visible in the city scenery," said Saara Malila, the
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