Embassy of Russia, London
The Embassy of Russia in London is the diplomatic mission of Russia in the United Kingdom.[1] The main building and Consular section is located at 5 and 6-7 Kensington Palace Gardens at the junction with Bayswater Road; the Ambassador's Residence is located in a separate building at 13 Kensington Palace Gardens (Harrington House).[2] Russia also maintains a Defence Attaché's Office at 44 Millfield Lane, Highgate, and an Office of the Trade Representative at 33 Highgate West Hill, Highgate.[3]
Embassy of Russia in London | |
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Location | Kensington, London |
Address | 6/7 Kensington Palace Gardens, London, W8 4QP |
Coordinates | 51°30′28.1″N 0°11′27.4″W |
History
The embassy of the Russian Empire was located at Chesham Place, Belgravia;[4] this then functioned as the Embassy of the new Soviet Union from 1924 to 1927.[5] Diplomatic relations were suspended during the period 1927–29, and following their resumption the Soviet government moved to the various buildings on Kensington Palace Gardens; these were, in turn, inherited by the Russian Federation following the dissolution of the USSR.[6]
Protests
The embassy has seen several protests over the years:
- 2008 – the Cluster Munition Coalition and Landmine Action protested against Russia's alleged use of cluster bombs in the 2008 South Ossetia War between Russia and Georgia[7]
- 2008 – Pro-Georgian protesters, opposed to Russia's role in the recent South Ossetia War, gathered outside the embassy[8]
- 2011 – Peter Tatchell and supporters protested about gay rights in Russia[9]
- 2012 – a protest was held by people opposed to the jailing of the punk band Pussy Riot[10]
- 2012 – opponents of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria (which is strongly supported by Russia) protested outside the embassy, allegedly damaging it[11]
- 2013 – a large protest, attended by actor Jude Law and musician Damon Albarn, took place outside the embassy following the arrest of several Greenpeace activists in the Pechora Sea[12]
- 2013 – a protest occurred seeking to free the journalist Kieron Bryan and the Greenpeace activists[13]
- 12 April 2017 – a protest attended by hundreds was held to condemn the alleged establishment of prison camps for gay men in Chechnya[14]
- 2022 - multiple protests outside the embassy to protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine as part of the Russo-Ukrainian War.
During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian planes bombed a children's hospital in Mariupol, Ukraine. Tweets from the Embassy of Russia about this were deleted by Twitter because the tweets were in violation of the Twitter Rules, specifically the 'Hateful Conduct and Abusive Behavior' policies related to the denial of violent events.[15]
Gallery
- The embassy as seen from Bayswater Road
- Plaque outside the embassy on Bayswater Road in English and Russian depicting the Coat of arms of Russia
- The Ambassador's Residence at 13 Kensington Palace Gardens
References
- "The London Diplomatic List" (PDF). 8 December 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 December 2013.
- "The London Diplomatic List" (PDF). 8 December 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 December 2013.
- "The London Diplomatic List" (PDF). 8 December 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 December 2013.
- "No.13 Kensington Palace Gardens: Harrington House". 8 December 2013. Archived from the original on 5 March 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
- "No.13 Kensington Palace Gardens: Harrington House". 8 December 2013. Archived from the original on 5 March 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
- "No.13 Kensington Palace Gardens: Harrington House". 8 December 2013. Archived from the original on 5 March 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
- "Campaigners condemn Russia's use of cluster bombs". 19 August 2008. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
- Bloxham, Andy (10 August 2008). "Anti-Russian protest by pro-Georgians outside London embassy". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
- "London protest against Russia ban on Moscow Gay Pride". 1 July 2011. Archived from the original on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
- "Russian Embassy protest supports 'Pussy Riot' - London". 23 April 2012. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
- "Russia protests to Britain regarding attack on Russian Embassy in London". Vestnik Kavkaza. 17 August 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
- "Jude Law joins protest over Greenpeace piracy charges". BBC News. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
- "Protest to free Kieron Bryan at the Russian Embassy, London". 2 November 2013. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
- Grafton-Green, Patrick (12 April 2017). "Hundreds protest against 'gay concentration camps' in Chechnya outside London's Russian Embassy". Evening Standard. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
- Elias, Jennifer (10 March 2022). "Twitter removes tweets by Russian Embassy in United Kingdom for denying 'violent events' in Ukraine". CNBC. Retrieved 10 March 2022.