How sunflowers became a symbol of Ukrainian resistance
A video shared by UkraineWorld appeared to show a Ukrainian woman standing up to Russian soldiers.
She told them to carry sunflower seeds in their pockets so that flowers would grow after they die.
People are protesting with sunflower bouquets and adding the emoji to their Twitter bios in support.
Sunflowers have taken on a new, defiant meaning as Ukraine continues to fight against Russia's invasion.
Sunflowers were already Ukraine's national flower, but they emerged as a symbol of resistance after a widely shared video clip appeared to show a Ukrainian woman berating Russian soldiers, telling them to put sunflower seeds in their pockets so that flowers would grow after they died in battle.
The video, posted to Twitter by the news site UkraineWorld on Thursday, has been viewed over 8 million times.
—UkraineWorld (@ukraine_world) February 24, 2022
BBC News also shared the video with added subtitles.
—BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) February 25, 2022
"Take these seeds so sunflowers grow when you die here," the woman says to Russian soldiers, according to the BBC's translation.
"OK. This conversation won't lead to anything. Let's not make things worse," a Russian soldier says.
The woman continues, "Guys, put these seeds into your pockets. Take these seeds. You will die here with them. You've come to my land ... Do you understand? You're occupiers. You're enemies. And from now on, you're cursed."
John Oliver featured the viral clip on Sunday's episode of "Last Week Tonight."
"Good for her! Good for her!" Oliver said. "Let's just recognize for a second how ice cold that insult is. 'Take these seeds and put them in your pocket so sunflowers will grow when you die.' [...] That woman brought seeds to a gunfight and still comfortably won."
Supporters of Ukraine have adopted sunflowers as a symbol of the resistance
Protesters around the world have been photographed holding bouquets or wearing the flowers at rallies in support of Ukraine.
In the UK, London's Russian Embassy was covered in graffiti, signs, and sunflower drawings.
Activists such as David Hogg are also adding sunflower emojis in their Twitter bios.
—David Hogg ?? (@davidhogg111) February 28, 2022
Citing Ukraine's Interior Ministry, the Associated Press reported Sunday that 352 Ukrainians have died during Russia's invasion of the country. The death count includes 14 children.
The ministry said an additional 1,684 people — including 116 children — were wounded, the AP reported.
Delegations from Russia and Ukraine are meeting for talks in Belarus on Monday.
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