A man in his 30s has been arrested after the red paint was thrown over the Russian Embassy in Dublin.
The incident occurred as protesters gathered at the embassy to protest the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Russian missiles were fired at Ukrainian cities this morning after President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" was underway.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister described it as a "full-scale invasion" and said they will defend themselves in the war which they "will win".
At least eight people have been killed and nine more wounded by the Russian shelling, according to reports.
In Dublin, there were as many as 20 protesters flying Ukraine flags at the Embassy on Orwell Road in Milltown when the red paint was thrown over the Russian emblem, a source told Dublin Live.
Another protest is planned for 3pm and a garda presence will be maintained throughout.
Cars were heard beeping as they drove past the embassy after the news of the invasion broke this morning.
A man was arrested at the scene and he is being held at Rathfarnham Garda Station.
A spokesman said: "Gardaí have arrested a man aged in his 30s in relation to an incident of Criminal Damage which occurred this morning, 24 th February 2022, at a premises on Orwell Road, Dublin 14.
"The man is currently detained at Rathfarnham Garda Station under Section 4 of The Criminal Justice Act, 1984."
Any Irish citizen in Ukraine has been urged to look for shelter by the Department of Foreign Affairs, as explosions and gunfire are heard across the country.
The Taoiseach said this morning: "I utterly condemn Russia’s indefensible attack on the sovereign people of Ukraine.
"Our first thoughts are with them. We will work with the EU and UN to hold Putin and his regime accountable. Russia will pay a high price for this outrageous act of aggression. We stand with Ukraine."
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
