Rochdale Ukraine association marks one year since Russian invasion
February 24 marks 365 days of Ukraine's resistance to Russia’s unprovoked full-scale invasion of the country where 7000 peaceful civilians, including over 450 children, have been killed
Photo: Ben Birchall/PA Wire
Rochdale’s Ukrainian association is marking one year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
February 24 marks 365 days of Ukraine's resistance to Russia’s unprovoked full-scale invasion of the country where 7000 peaceful civilians, including over 450 children, have been killed and thousands have been injured.
The Association of Ukrainians in Rochdale is joining other organisations up and down the country in calling on people to participate in events or demonstrations which will show solidarity with Ukrainians in Ukraine and across the world.
Since the start of the war Russia has destroyed medical, religious, cultural, and educational facilities with more than 5,380 schools and hospitals totally destroyed. More than 58,000 Russian war crimes are currently being investigated.
In Rochdale the occasion will be marked by a flag raising ceremony on Friday, February 24 and a commemoration event held at the Ukrainian Catholic Church on Yorkshire Street on Saturday, February 25.
The Chair of the Association of Ukrainians in Rochdale, Olga Kurtianyk, said: “We are grateful to the UK Government, devolved governments, political leaders, the British people and all spheres of UK society for their unwavering support for Ukraine and displaced Ukrainians over the past year.”
On the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, AUGB is calling on the UK Government, with the support of all opposition political parties, to:
- Further strengthen sanctions against Russia and continue to provide Ukraine with all the military assistance that it needs to win this war;
- Coordinate with allies and the International Criminal Court to establish an international tribunal to bring to justice Russia’s political and military leadership, its backers and all those accountable for aggression against Ukraine and war crimes against Ukraine’s people
- Isolate Russia from all international forums and sporting events until Ukraine’s borders are restored.
Olga added: “Russia’s war is a war against democratic values, international law and the right to self-determination.
“Ukraine will continue to resist and fight for a complete victory - at huge cost to its people - to protect sovereignty and democracy in Ukraine and secure lasting peace and stability for the whole of Europe.”
The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) is the largest representative body for Ukrainians and those of Ukrainian descent.
It was founded in 1946 by Ukrainians who were given sanctuary in the UK after World War II, including those who fought in the Polish armed forces and those taken to Germany as forced labourers.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine AUGB has collected £3.5m which we have distributed to three charities working on the ground in Ukraine to provide medical and other humanitarian aid, including food and hygiene products, generators, heaters and blankets.
