Pro-Ukraine Protestors Block Area In Front Of White House: Report

WASHINGTON, DC — Pro-Ukraine protestors converged on the areas surrounding the White House on Sunday as Russia continued its invasion of Ukraine that began last week.

A crowd of protestors flooded Lafayette Park north of the White House on Monday, according to photos from WBNG reporter Alex Ladstatter.

The photos showed protestors with Ukrainian flags and signs showing support for Ukraine and criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Earlier Sunday, Metro Police cleared several streets surrounding the White House because of a "suspicious backpack" found where people were protesting, according to The Sun. The closures affected 17th Street northbound at G Street, 17th Street southbound at H Street and Pennsylvania Avenue eastbound at 18th Street.

The package was declared safe, and the streets have since been reopened, according to the report.

The protests come as Russian troops continue to close in on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital city.

Kyiv is "encircled" by Russian forces, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko, the former World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Council heavyweight champion.

There are no plans to evacuate the city because "all ways are blocked," Klitschko said. Nine civilians in Kyiv, including one child, have been killed during the invasion, Klitschko confirmed to the Associated Press.

The United States approved direct delivery of anti-aircraft Stinger missiles to Ukraine as part of a package approved by the White House on Friday, officials told the Associated Press. The announcement comes after Germany announced it would 500 Stinger missiles along with other weapons and supplies to Ukraine.

The United Nations Security Council voted Sunday for the General Assembly to hold an emergency session Monday on Russia's invasion. The vote was 11 for with Russia opposing and China, India and the United Arab Emirates abstaining. Russia used its veto to defeat a Security Council resolution Friday calling for the country to withdraw its troops from Ukraine. China, India and the United Arab Emirates also abstained in that vote.

On Sunday, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow urged Americans in Russia to consider leaving the country immediately as some airlines stop flights to Russia. The European Union announced Sunday it was closing its airspace to Russian flights.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.