Ukrainian community stands united to mark three year anniversary
In Gloucester, a march to the Docks took place as the city's community remains united in its support for Ukraine
Dear readers - February 24th 2022 will always be in the minds of so many Ukrainians, the wider globe and Europe. On this day, three years on, Gloucestershire’s Ukrainian community still clings onto the hope that one day their country will be free from Russian aggression.
Ukrainian refugees have fled their homeland, settled in many European countries, and here in the county we call home, many Ukrainians have left behind families still experiencing the horrors of war.
It may be one poll but in the eyes of over 8,000 British adults asked to give their view, the majority opine it is Russia under Vladimir Putin’s grasp who is responsible for starting the conflict. Launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, despite already annexing and occupying Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine in 2014, Russian bombardment has killed innocent people, soldiers still defend their country, and the war against disinformation continues to be verified.
Closer to home in Gloucester, despite heavy rain, the community have marked the three-year anniversary by marching on pavements from the Ukrainian club in Tredworth to the city’s docks, a march joined not just by Ukrainian refugees but also Gloucester’s general public.
In Britain the simple task of putting a cross on a piece of paper just to vote has changed our elected government. It’s a democratic process without bullets or annihilation of political opponents, a democratic process Ukraine is fighting hard to keep. The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has maintained the same position as the previous Conservative government in standing with Ukraine against “Putin’s barbaric full-scale invasion”.
What is now uncertain however lies with US President Donald Trump who was also elected via America’s own democratic process. Mr Trump has called President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator”, “refusing to have elections” and appearing to say Ukraine started the war - a significant shift in rhetoric from the Biden administration.
President Zelensky has accused Mr Trump of “living in a disinformation space” created by Russia and recent reports have said that Zelensky is willing to give up the presidency for peace or NATO membership.
But what do Ukrainians attending the Gloucester march make of what is going on internationally? Trump’s language, recent US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia without an invitation for Kyiv - it would be unfair for refugees to have all the answers, but what can be assured is the opinion that Gloucestershire’s support is something they remain eternally grateful for.
“Ukraine never started this war”
Liudmyla Nelina was in Ukraine when the war started after waking up at 4am to the sound of explosions. Living in Sumy, close to the north-eastern border with Russia, Liudmyla left her mother and still worries about her everyday.
“It’s really important to be here and to support Ukrainians who are fighting against the Russian invasion and also to support our people, she said. We continue to fight and protect our families.”
The generosity of Gloucestershire helping with aid touches Liudmyla very much and she maintains that “we really need your support and your help because war did not stop. Ukraine never started this war.”
Myron Maslanyj is half English and half Ukrainian because his father came to Britain as a refugee after the Second World War. Myron is proud of his Ukrainian heritage.
“This is part of my life and I’ve spent most of my life protesting against Russian domination in Ukraine and also maintaining the culture of Ukraine, which is very diverse,” Myron said.
“I am humbled by the way British governments have supported us, Myron adds. It never ceases to amaze me the generosity of the British people on how they've welcomed refugees and stood up for Ukraine. I can understand that times are hard and the uncertainty in the world is not a good thing. With a lot of wars elsewhere we have to hold onto the truth and what is good in this world."
On President Trump’s words, Myron said: "It's very upsetting as this is a fight for democracy and the world has turned upside down with some of the comments Trump has made. I can't make sense of it but I do know we're standing here to hold onto our identity, culture and values."
Scenes from three years ago showed Aid for Ukraine working extremely hard to make sure refugees got the help they needed, work which Laura Bullivant has been involved with.
“I didn't think we'd see three years, no one thought we'd see three years but it does not need to end the way certain people think it should, Laura said. We are really grateful and even little donations have made a huge difference. At the start we accepted anything and everything and over time we have narrowed that down to things that are really needed to go to the right people. Even if the war ended tomorrow, aid is still going to be needed.”
Laura accepts that fatigue of the war not just in Gloucestershire but in Britain and Europe, is something people will feel after three years - a view that war should not go on forever coupled with decisions in government to spend more money on defence while the cost of living bites.
“The war can’t go on indefinitely that's a given in any situation but for three years we've had solidarity from America, NATO and Europe, and he (President Trump) has just flown in the face of it all. What Trump is saying is dangerous, divisive and it's not helpful,” Laura adds.
“Of course we want peace but we want a just peace”
Nataliya Garbutt from the Association of Ukrainians in Gloucester says the three year anniversary arrives with many mixed feelings.
Speaking below, Nataliya feels that “it’s sad, worrying and there is no certainty on what is going to happen next. As a Gloucester community we feel a lot of support from local government from our agency Homes for Ukraine, GARAS and lots of volunteer organisations like rotary clubs. There is still support providing humanitarian aid and we feel great support as a community by the people of Gloucestershire and it always makes me feel very grateful.”
Nataliya says a huge word of thanks has gone out to those who have supported Ukraine in the county, including those who could not attend the march in-person. On the international headlines recently, she feels “it is tragic what is happening and what is still happening with families being torn apart.”
“It’s very worrying and sometimes you feel there’s news on social media and Russian propaganda. My feeling is that Russia is trying to break Ukraine from within. The propaganda is to set people against Zelensky and make him in the eyes as a bad leader, as a bad person. I personally don't think he's a dictator, I think he's a very good advocate for Ukraine.”
On calls for elections in Ukraine, not just by American politicians but also British ones as well such as democratically elected MP and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, Nataliya personally disagrees and thinks Ukraine should gain its sovereignty back.
“Three years of fighting, people dying and families being separated, how can we look back in their eyes and say it was for nothing and now give half of Ukraine back to Russia to stop the war, Nataliya said. Of course we want peace but we want a just peace and there needs to be more negotiations with Ukraine included. I don't feel it's right to dictate to Ukraine what it has to do and there's a threat to future democracy if they can feel they can split Ukraine in half.”
“However long it takes and wherever it leads, you have our hearts and our love”
The end of the march at Gloucester Docks saw prayers, songs in Ukrainian and speeches.
The Mayor of Gloucester, councillor Lorraine Campbell said: "We gather here in such sadness to mark this tragic anniversary. Who would have believed it three years ago that we would have three years of conflict and war, three years of loss and sacrifice and three years of grief and sorrow.
I stand here as the first citizen of Gloucester to assure you of the steadfast support that the city has for you, we are with you, we are behind you. We are proud, whatever the shifting sands of global politics do, I can assure you we are proud to walk beside you and we share this journey with you. However long it takes and wherever it leads, you have our hearts and our love. Slava Ukraini.”
On the anniversary, MP for Gloucester, Alex McIntyre said: “As we mark three years since Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, the Government and I stand with Ukraine and in full support of the Ukrainian community here in Gloucester. Today we commemorate those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their country, their freedom and their democracy. And we hope for peace to return to Ukraine through strength and for loved ones who have fled to safety across Europe to be reunited. Slava Ukraini.”
Speaking outside the Mariners Church, former city MP Richard Graham paid tribute to the Ukrainian Association in Gloucester for their work alongside the city council, all the political parties and the MPs office.
"It is the smallest thing in the world to stand in the rain for a little bit to salute the sons, brothers, fathers, grandparents of many of you here who are still involved in the war in Ukraine, Mr Graham said. My first message is solidarity to all the males in your family who are there fighting, and some females as well.”
Adding that during his work as Chair of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, Mr Graham said: "We made it clear and agreed with American democracy organisations that no election was practical during a war and an invasion. In the Lord's Prayer the message is clear, ‘deliver us from evil’ and that's what we all want for Ukraine today.”
Images from the march for Ukraine…
