After Russia invades Ukraine, protestors demonstrate outside the Russian Embassy in Washington

Early Thursday morning, demonstrators gathered outside Russia's Embassy, just after it was reported that Russian had launched an expected invasion of Ukraine, CBS Washington, D.C. affiliate WUSA TV reports.

After Russia invades Ukraine, protestors demonstrate outside the Russian Embassy in Washington

They arrived at 1 a.m.

Outside the building, a small group held Ukrainian flags.



 

WUSA was informed by them that they had rushed to the Embassy to obtain more information and support one another.

Many of them were Ukrainian and have relatives there. Some were even tearful.

They expressed concern, fear and uncertainty over the fate of their family members and Ukraine.

One man claimed that he arrived in the United States nine years ago from Kyiv (the capital of Ukraine). He claimed that his entire family remains there. He's been pleading for his sister and parents to leave the country and go to safety for several weeks and doesn't know how he can help them.

The group also calls on leaders to do more for Ukraine, including imposing tougher sanctions than those already in place.

Roxolana Wynar stated to WUSA that she felt the need to speak out in order to be heard.

"Different cities in Ukraine are being bombarded and people are being displaced. It's terrible. We are here to protest this war and show the world we won't stand by and do nothing. Wynar stated that we will unite and call on the U.S. government and allies to do more in order to end this war.

Although the demonstrators left before sunrise, they said that they would continue to protest outside of the White House on Thursday afternoon.