'Forgive us' Ukraine: hopeless dread grips Russia's war critics

FILE PHOTO: A view shows the gate of the Ukrainian embassy in Moscow, Russia February 24, 2022. REUTERS//File Photo

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Alexandra and Anna, both 27, were among a steady trickle of Russians at Ukraine's embassy in Moscow on Sunday who voiced shame, anguish and a sense of utter hopelessness after Russia's invasion, offering heartfelt apologies to Ukrainians.

The friends, who declined to give their surnames, believe their own brothers have been deployed with Russia's National Guard as part of the invasion following exercises in Crimea, one as a conscript and one as a contractor.