Friday (24 February) marks the one-year anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine when Russia launched its invasion of the country.

The fierce fighting has cost many thousands of lives on both sides with many millions of Ukrainians - the majority women and children - fleeing the nation.

A number of Ukraine families have found new homes - and started new lives - here in Tameside and Glossop, with host families welcoming them in.

Tameside already had a Ukraine community with its centre in Ashton which has welcomed refugees.

The anniversary will be marked locally with a ‘Peace Rally’ at the Civic Monument in Ashton at 5.30pm. 

The Chair of the Association of Ukrainians in Ashton, Stefan Wolosiansky, will lay a wreath, there will be a moment of reflection to remember all Ukrainians who have lost their lives in the conflict and the Ukraine national anthem will be sung.

Then on Sunday, a commemorative mass will be held at the The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) Ashton Ukrainian Centre, 215 Stockport Road, at 1.30pm.

The service will again be held in memory of those who have been killed in Ukraine due to Russia’s invasion, with everyone attending being given a candle. 

Everyone is invited to stand shoulder to shoulder with the local Ukraine community at both ‘services’ in a show of support and remembrance.

The shock and horror felt at the invasion exactly one year ago sparked an immediate reaction, with local communities donating vast quantities of aid from clothing to medicine and children’s toys.

The Ukraine centre in Ashton itself was literally deluged by the generosity shown, with numerous other donation locations also established, including at churches and various centres and businesses.

The Ashton centre continues to operate as a donation point, although the appeal now is very much for money for the Help Ukraine Fund where the cash can be channelled into purchasing the essentials required.

Stefan said: “We are very grateful to everyone who has helped support us and helped us throughout the year and who continue to do that with donations. We continue to receive donations at the centre, such as winter clothes.

“However, the appeal now is really for cash donations to the fund to help buy things like generators for people to provide power which has been targeted by Russia. We have recently done a ‘Campaign of Hope’ with fundraising raffles and an event in January which has raised almost £2,000 so we are raising money ourselves all the time.”

Families who have moved from Ukraine and settled here have become involved with the Ukraine community centre events.

However, a number have returned to support the men they have left behind, especially as refugees are mostly mothers and children who have left behind husbands, fathers, uncles and grandparents.

Stefan has relatives who live in Ukraine and they remain in the country and are safe, but they state life there is difficult with electricity and water only available at certain times. 

Petro Rewko, National Chairman of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, said: “The Help Ukraine Appeal nationally has raised more than £3.5m and donations continue to come into the fund which was started two weeks before the war began.

“The priority now is for generators, food and winter clothes.”

He added that commemoration events will be held at all Ukraine centres and with Ukrainian communities across the country this week. 

The Ukraine Embassy is also organising special services.

But commemoration events will in fact take place worldwide.

Petro added: “It will be an extremely busy and emotional week for us. But we continue to raise money and support Ukraine. We have to be one hundred per cent positive that we can win this war and our thanks go to the UK government and to the whole of the UK because the people of this country have been phenomenal.

“Our main message is that this anniversary represents 365 days of resistance and Ukraine will not give in.”

The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain has published the following press release which we publish in full below, Petro pointing out that all the facts and figures produced have been verified.

A time for solidarity - and why Ukraine will never give in to Russian aggression

Friday (24 February) marks 365 days of Ukrainian resistance against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russia’s barbaric war against Ukraine has created the largest humanitarian crisis in Europe since the Second World War, disrupted the food supply to some of the world’s most vulnerable nations, and has threatened European and world peace.

Over the past year, Russia has:

• Systematically targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure all over Ukraine. Over 7,000 peaceful civilians, including over 450 children, have been killed and thousands have been injured.

• Destroyed medical, religious, cultural, and educational facilities. Over 5,380 schools and hospitals have been totally destroyed.

• Committed countless atrocities and war crimes against the Ukrainian population – including rape, sexual violence, murder, torture, mutilation, and unlawful deportation of Ukrainians to Russia, including over 16,000 children. Over 58,000 Russian war crimes are currently being investigated.

The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) is calling on individuals and organisations across the UK to participate in events or demonstrations which show solidarity with Ukrainians in Ukraine and across the world.

The Chair of the Association of Ukrainians in Ashton, Stefan Wolosiansky, said: “We are all 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 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.

Ashton AUGB Chair, Stefan Wolosiansky, said: “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.

The association exists to promote and develop the interests of the Ukrainian community, to promote our heritage and culture and to support sovereignty, democracy and civic society in Ukraine.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine:

• Through our Help Ukraine Emergency Appeal, we have collected £3.5m which we have distributed to three charities working on the ground in Ukraine to provide medical and other humanitarian aid, food and hygiene products, generators, heaters and blankets, psychological support for internally displaced Ukrainians, especially children, and rescue and evacuation services.

• With the Eparchy of the Holy Family in London, established a Ukrainian Welcome Centre which provides a safe space and services for displaced Ukrainians.

• Our 31 branches have not only worked closely with local communities to provide considerable humanitarian aid to Ukraine, but they have opened their doors to displaced Ukrainians, organising events and providing a safe space to allow those affected by war to come together and stay connected to their heritage, as well as obtain advice from the many government and voluntary agencies that we work with.

• We sit on the Government’s Core Delivery Group and have worked with all Government departments to establish and develop the Homes for Ukraine scheme, highlighting issues faced by displaced Ukrainians and ensuring the community voice is heard.

• We have provided evidence to Select Committees and met political leaders to brief them on issues facing Ukraine and Ukrainians and ensure continuing support.

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