On February 24, two years ago, Russia sent shockwaves through Europe and the rest of the world when they invaded the neighboring country.
Since then, over half a million Ukrainian and Russian soldiers are said to have been killed or injured.
Anna Chebotarora (34) from Ukraine came to Norway to study just months before the war broke out. She says it means a lot that many people come to support Ukraine.
– It gives me strength, she says.
Anna Chebotarora from Ukraine and her friend Ieva Gudaityoc from Lithuania.
Photo: Trude Furuly / NRK
Over 400 major cities worldwide have confirmed that they will mark the second anniversary.
In Norway, the day will be marked outside the Storting, and through 50 other events across the country.
– We cannot win this war alone
Anna Chebotarora (34) from Ukraine and Ieva Gudaityoc (28) from Lithuania are in Eidsvoll’s place on Saturday.
Despite the fact that the last two years have been tough, she believes in victory for her home country. She hopes for strong support from the West and other countries.
– We cannot win this war alone, she says.
She has several friends who have been killed in battles.
– Our army not only defends our country, but the entire world order, she says.
In her hand she has a bouquet of sunflowers, which are an important national symbol in Ukraine.
– Russia must be held responsible for its actions and we need a strong international movement to punish them for what they are doing, says the 34-year-old.
City marking in Oslo
The main marking outside the Storting, started with a support concert and photo exhibition, followed by a large demonstration.
The demonstration began at twelve o’clock, and Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide (Ap), Henrik Asheim (H), Abid Raja (V) and city council leader Eirik Lae Solberg (H) are among those who participated.
The police estimate that around a thousand people were present during the commemoration in Oslo.
The Ukrainian Association in Norway, the Norwegian-Ukrainian Friends Association and the Ukrainian Embassy in Norway are responsible for the event.
Elida (8), her sister Hedvig (10) and her friend Martine (10) were in front of the Storting to show their support for Ukraine.
Hedvig remembers well when the war broke out two years ago.
From left: Martine (10) and the two sisters Hedvig (10) and Elida (8).
Photo: Trude Furuly / NRK
– It is stupid that there is a war, says Hedvig.
Her mother has lived in Ukraine and therefore the family has many friends there with whom they keep in touch.
– We care, says little sister Elida.
– There are civilians there and Putin has broken the rules, says Matilde, who has followed the war on Supernytt.
Volodymyr Liaschenko thinks a lot about his son fighting in his homeland.
– I talk to him every day, he says.
His wife Natalia describes what is happening in Ukraine as absolutely terrible.
One of Volodymyr Liaschenko’s sons is fighting in the war for Ukraine. They have daily contact, and the father is constantly worried about his son.
Photo: Trude Furuly / NRK
The whole country marks the day
After the demonstration in Oslo, the crowd moved by train from the Storting to the Russian embassy.
The second anniversary is not only celebrated in Norwegian cities. In total, more than 50 markings are planned across the country.
From Kirkenes in the north to Lindesnes in the south, appeals will be held and trains will be marched to show support for Ukraine. There will be events in all the big cities, but also in several smaller places.
Outside the Russian embassy in Drammensveien in Oslo, the demonstrators have lined up and started shouting Ukrainian slogans.
Photo: Jon Petrusson / NRK
In Trondheim, there will be a commemoration on Torvet at 3pm before everyone takes the train to Solsiden.
– Many are very grateful to the Norwegian people. We get a lot of support. Ordinary people come with clothes and many other offers of help, says Olga Mosand to NRK.
She is a leader in the Ukrainian Association in Trondheim. During Saturday’s commemoration there, both the mayor and several political parties will be present to show their support.
At 12 o’clock Nidaros Cathedral rang its bells for 10 minutes in solidarity with the victims of the war. Several other cathedrals around Europe did the same.
Here are the Ukraina markings on Saturday
Expand/minimize fact box
Agder:
- Rice cooker
- Tvedestrand
- Kristiansand
- Flekkefjord
- Lyngdal
- Small sand
Buskerud:
- Drammen
- Hønefoss
- Kongsberg
Inland:
- Ten
- Trysil
- Fager’s
- Lillehammer
Møre and Romsdal:
- Mould
- Ålesund
- Sunndalsøra
Nordland:
Rogaland:
- Egersund
- Haugesund
- Stavanger
Telemark and Vestfold:
Trøndelag:
- Levanger
- Trondheim
- Worldly
Troms and Finnmark:
Østfold:
- Fredrikstad
- Moss
- Sarpsborg
Westland:
- Bergen
- Led
- The slop
- Nordfjordeid
– Door for freedom throughout Europe
Through speeches, songs, posters and waving Ukrainian flags, those present in Stavanger, many Ukrainians, marked two years since the invasion.
Since then, 104 weeks, 730 days have passed and there have been over 40,000 flight alerts in Ukraine.
– Let’s stop the war in Ukraine, let’s stop Russia so that the war doesn’t come here, says Anna Kilmartin to NRK.
Anna Kilmartin is a member of the Ukrainian Association in Rogaland, and was one of many Ukrainians who turned up for the commemoration in the square in Stavanger on Saturday afternoon.
Photo: Tom Edvindsen / NRK
She pays tribute to Norway’s efforts in helping all the 70,000 Ukrainian refugees who have come to the country in the last couple of years.
– Without their help we would not have been able to help so many people, the Norwegian people have mobilized in an absolutely incredible way, and at all levels, says Anna Kilmartin.
Norwegian-Ukrainian Natalia Øvestad had brought her whole family with her to support her home country, and was clearly moved when she spoke to NRK.
– We are here to show that we are united and that we stand for Ukraine. We support each other and we are very grateful to Norway for everything you do for us, says Øvestad.
– Why is it so important to mark this day?
– Because it is the biggest war that has been in Europe since World War II, and we were attacked for no reason.
– People on the Ukrainian battlefield are dying for freedom throughout Europe, says Øvestad.
Do not see any future for Ukraine
One of those who was present during the two-year marking, and who has really experienced Putin’s war firsthand, is the Ukrainian war veteran Ruslan Vasiliyovich.
Ukrainian war veteran Ruslan Vasiliyovich lost his leg during fighting in the Donetsk region near the city of Bakhmut last year.
Photo: Jon Petrusson / NRK
Vasiliyovich began fighting for Ukraine in Donetsk Oblast near the city of Bakhmut when the war broke out. An artillery piece exploded near him, resulting in him losing one of his legs.
He has been undergoing treatment in Norway since May, and is now following the war via the news.
– Unfortunately, I have to say right now that I see no future for Ukraine.
– When I look at the news and see that the Ukrainian forces have to give up Ukrainian territories, I no longer know if we will win, says Vasiliyovich.
– What is your hope?
– Of course, I hope that Ukraine will win this war, and get back all the occupied territories, says Vasiliyovich.
– Don’t lose heart
In the capital Kyiv, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, arrived on Saturday to mark the day.
– I am in Kyiv to mark the second anniversary of Russia’s war against Ukraine. And to celebrate the extraordinary courage of the Ukrainian people, von der Leyen wrote on X.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg urged Ukrainians on Saturday to “not lose heart” on the two-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine.
– Ukraine wants to become a member of NATO. The question is not whether it will happen, says NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg.
Photo: Reuters
– The situation on the battlefield is still extremely serious. President Putin’s goal of dominating Ukraine has not changed, and there are no indications that he is preparing for peace. But we must not lose heart, says Stoltenberg in one statement Saturday.
Lack of military support, including from the USA, has meant that Ukrainian forces at the front have reported shortages of certain types of ammunition.
Stoltenberg says that more support from NATO countries worth several billion dollars is on the way. This includes artillery ammunition, anti-aircraft defenses, military boats and equipment related to F-16 aircraft.
– We will win
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signs Telegram Saturday that Ukraine is going to win the war against Russia.
– Great people in a wonderful country! I am incredibly proud of everyone. All normal people want the war to end. but none of us is going to let our country end, he writes.
The announcement comes on the same day that several countries mark solidarity with Ukraine on the second anniversary of the war.
Zelenskyj points out that the words “independent” and “Ukraine” will always go together.
– Let’s fight for it, and we will win. On the best day of our lives.
He also thanks all soldiers and people around the world who have stood by Ukraine’s side throughout the war.
2024-02-24 14:00:58
#years #invasion #Ukraine
