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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Andy Crick & Laura Sharman

Russian embassy's secret countryside hideaway in UK targeted by angry villagers

Russia has a secret embassy country hideaway in the UK which has been targeted by angry villagers.

Ukraine flags have been displayed in front of the Grade II listed Seacox Heath after Vladimir Putin invaded the country.

The lavish 19th century castle straddles the villages of Hawkhurst in Kent and Flimwell in East Sussex.

It is tucked away down a half-a-mile long driveway and cannot be seen from the road.

But Google Maps satellite images reveal the hidden four-storey pad set in sprawling grounds.

The countryside retreat, built in 1871, is used by Russian diplomats and is 1,750 miles from the capital Moscow.

The lavish embassy is known as 'the castle' and is hidden away between Kent and East Sussex (Google)

Angry resident Rebecca De Saintonge decided to decorate it with blue and yellow Ukraine flags.

She said: “I decided it looked a bit bare.

“There's space for lots more if you're in the area.”

Seacox Heath was presented to the Soviet government by the English Lord Gushen after WW2.

It was a gift after his son was saved by Russian sailors.

Rebecca De Saintonge placing yellow and blue flags outside Seacox Heath (Triangle News)

Thousands of Brits have attended protests across the country against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Widespread outrage over Russian aggression has erupted in protests around the world following the unprovoked bombardment of Ukraine on February 24.

A Global Day of Action to support Ukrainians took place on March 6, called by the Stop the War Coalition and the No to NATO network.

Seacox Heath in 1903 (University of St Andrew Library)

Some 60 events took place across the UK where thousands protested at Trafalgar Square in London calling for a no-fly zone over Ukraine and for Putin to be sanctioned as a war criminal and terrorist.

Hundreds more gathered outside the Council House in Nottingham which has been flying the Ukrainian flag.

In Germany, over 100,000 protesters marched to the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to demonstrate their anger in one of the country's largest demonstrations in recent history.

The embassy is tucked away down a long driveway and cannot be seen from the road (Google)

There were similar scenes in Madrid in Spain, Tokyo in Japan, and Seoul in South Korea, where there was a protest outside the Russian Embassy in the capitals against the devastating invasion of Ukraine.

Even Russians have bravely protested the war despite new legislation which carries up to 15 years in prison for spreading "false information" about the national military.

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