The dense visual cacophony of the cemetery s "temporary" section, where rows of wooden crosses are submerged in a sea of Russian tricolors and military intelligence (GRU/Spetsnaz) flags bearing the bat insignia. In the foreground, the grave of Kirill Arkadyevich Sharkov (1975-2025), a 49-year-old casualty, is marked by a simple cross and a photo of him in uniform, surrounded by wreaths in patriotic red, white, and blue colors. The scene conveys the sheer volume of recent losses, with flags fluttering chaotically over uneven mounds of earth, while a tractor in the far left background hints at the ongoing expansion of the burial grounds. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025
The dense, chaotic stage of recent burial in the "Alley of Heroes," where fresh earthen graves are overwhelmed by a profusion of flags, including the Russian tricolor, the blue flag of the Aerospace Forces (VKS), and banners of various volunteer and assault units. The foreground shows a simple wooden cross with a framed photo of a young soldier, surrounded by vibrant wreaths of artificial flowers, while in the background, a woman walks amongst the rows, emphasizing the cemetery s role as an active site of public mourning. The sheer number of flags and the raw state of the ground visually confirm a continuous, high-volume flow of casualties processed at this site. Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025
The installation captures a vivid and direct form of protest directly facing the Russian embassy on Pikk Street. The central panel displays a graphic depiction of Vladimir Putin with a rat s body, lying dead under a Soviet flag with the slogan "Sooner rather than later" and "Putin Zdoh" (a play on words combining the "Z" war symbol with the Russian word for "died" or "croaked"). This reflects the intense anger and desire for regime change among protestors. The red poster on the right translates to "Reveal who gets Kremlin money in Estonia" (Paljastame, kes saavad Kremli raha Eestis), referencing concerns about Russian influence and corruption within Estonian politics and society. A black-and-white photo of Alexei Navalny is pinned to the fence, honoring the Russian opposition leader who died in prison in early 2024. His image serves as a symbol of resistance against the Putin regime. The fence is covered with layers of weather-beaten signs, photos of destroyed Ukrainian apartment blocks (like the one in the top right), and slogans in multiple languages (Estonian, English, Russian, Ukrainian). This accumulation shows that the protest is not a one-time event but a sustained, evolving vigil kept alive by locals and activists. The poster on the far right features a red handprint with names, symbolizing the "blood on the hands" of those complicit in the war or sympathetic to the Kremlin s actions. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025
A view of the installation specifically focuses on the memorial dedicated to Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader who died in a penal colony on February 16, 2024. The central poster explicitly states "PUTIN KILLED NAVALNY" in bold red and black letters, echoing the sentiments of protestors worldwide who hold the Kremlin responsible for his death. Below the text is a large, stylized black-and-white portrait of Navalny, marked with the date of his death, February 16, 2024. The main poster is surrounded by smaller photos, drawings, and messages from supporters, including a quote in Russian: "Everything will be fine. And even if it isn t, we will console ourselves that we were honest people". The memorial is integrated into the broader anti-war protest, with signs like "STOPTHEWAR" and "NETVOYNE" (No to War) visible alongside Ukrainian colors. A yellow poster in the background calls for freedom for political prisoners ("SVOBODU POLITZAKLYUCHONNYM"). Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025
This section of the protest installation outside the Russian Embassy on Pikk Street features striking posters that use language and graphic design to convey urgent anti-war messages. The black banner in the center features stylized white text that mimics the sound or urgency of a warning siren. The Ukrainian text translates to "Air raid alert" (:041f:043e:0432:0456:0442:0440:044f:043d:0430 :0442:0440:0438:0432:043e:0433:0430), followed by the command "KILL" in large red letters. This likely references the constant threat of bombardment facing Ukrainian civilians and calls for defensive action against the aggressors. The poster on the right, designed with yellow and blue text on a white background, carries a message in English: "And you thought that war is simple?" with the word "UKRAINE" stylized in the center. It challenges the viewer to confront the complexities and brutality of the conflict. To the left, there is a collage of photos showing the devastation of Ukrainian cities, including bombed-out residential buildings (likely Mariupol or Kharkiv), serving as visual evidence of war crimes. While partially obscured, other signs in this installation series often include direct messages to Vladimir Putin, such as the famous slogan "Follow your leader" (referencing Hitler s suicide in a bunker), which has been a recurring theme in protests here. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025
This colorful section of the installation outside the Russian Embassy on Pikk Street uses provocative imagery and slogans to confront the Russian leadership. The poster on the bottom left depicts Vladimir Putin lying dead in a coffin with a Soviet flag. The text "Putin Z-dokh" is a pun, combining the pro-war "Z" symbol with the Russian verb for "croaked" or "died like an animal." The English text "Sooner rather than later" expresses a wish for the end of his regime. "Paljastame, kes saavad Kremli raha Eestis": The red poster on the right translates from Estonian as "We reveal who receives Kremlin money in Estonia." It depicts a stylized Kremlin tower with a skull and bundles of cash at the base, addressing concerns about Russian influence operations and corruption within Estonia. A black-and-white photo of Alexei Navalny with yellow and blue ribbons hangs near the top, keeping the memory of the opposition leader alive as a symbol of resistance. "Bloody Hand": The black poster on the far right features a red handprint with names written on it, symbolizing blood guilt. It is titled with a name (partially obscured, possibly "ODANIEL") and includes lists of names, likely implicating individuals or entities considered complicit in the war or sympathetic to the Kremlin. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025