Russia's ambassador to Poland was splattered with red paint thrown at him by people protesting the war in Ukraine during a visit to a war cemetery in Warsaw.

Ambassador Sergey Andreev went to lay flowers at the Soviet military cemetery in the capital on Monday, the anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany during World War Two.

Video footage from the scene show the ambassador surrounded by protesters, some chanting "murderer" and "dictator" and others holding up the Ukrainian flag.

One of the protesters said it's unbelievable that the Russian envoy came to lay flowers while his country was invading Ukraine. The woman said she doesn't want to see war anymore.

Ambassador Andreev later told reporters that he is proud of his country and president. Russia's foreign ministry said it has lodged a protest with the Polish government.

Poland has taken in over 3 million people who fled neighboring Ukraine, which is more than any other country.