Sergey Sushinskiy, who is originally from Moscow, has vowed to protest Russia’s war on Ukraine until it ends.
He has protested with up to 60 others in the Octagon, Dunedin, since the start of the war more than seven weeks ago.
"It is impossible to believe that just as many Germans believed Hitler’s speeches, many Russians believe Putin’s.
"Our children will not forgive us for such stupidity," Mr Sushinskiy said.
"Putin and his criminal friends must be stopped.
"I will protest until the war ends."
Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine on February 24.
On Good Friday, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reported 4633 civilian casualties had been recorded in the country since fighting began.
However, it said the actual number of civilian deaths was believed to be much higher.
Some estimates have put the number of civilian deaths as high as 24,000.
Ukrainian and Russian troops have also died in the thousands during fighting.
The sinking of Russia’s Black Sea flagship Moskva on Thursday reportedly killed hundreds of Russian sailors.
And though Mr Sushinskiy said the Ukrainian strike was "awesome" it has led to renewed bombarding of Ukrainian cities.
International news agencies have reported long-range missile strikes against Kyiv and western Ukraine this weekend after weeks of relative calm — and despite Russia’s change in tack towards a new offensive in the east.
Mr Sushinskiy said he believed Putin had to be stopped or "he will not stop".
He said many Russians were against the war and "Russians are not only Putin and his crazy soldiers".
He called on Ukrainians to be brave.
"Don’t be delicate or afraid.
"Putin can and will be beaten," he said. — Additional reporting The New Zealand Herald
