The North East joined with the rest of the UK on Friday (February 24) to mark one year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Protests, vigils and silent moments of reflection were held across the region as Ukrainians staying here called on Brits not to forget the pain being felt in their homeland.
On February 24 last year Vladimir Putin’s troops invaded Ukraine, and many believed his military might capture Kyiv within weeks or even days.
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In Durham, University Students draped in the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag staged a protest at 1pm on Friday.
Tetiana Loiko, 22, a law student at university who organised the protest called for people not to forget the situation in Ukraine.
Tetiana told The Northern Echo: “The war is still happening – it’s still very real.
“Keep Ukraine in your minds.”
Ms Loiko returned to Ukraine over the winter to visit family and witness first-hand the devastation there.
“It was the second time that I went back home. The first time I went back in September I went back by parents were concerned about me coming back and it took a lot of convincing.
“It was very eye opening to see the damage. My dad’s childhood home was ruined.
“I haven’t been able to speak to my parents much. When the power goes down, they lose signal and I can’t reach them.”
At a protest a year ago this week Tetiana spoke of how her parents were preparing Molotov cocktails and have the materials they need ready.
A service was also held at Durham Cathedral.
A national minute’s silence was followed on Darlington’s High Row at 11am as people reflected on the horrors of war Ukrainians have dealt with over the past 12 months.
Following the silence Ukrainians in the town also sang their home land’s national.
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Speaking from the event Darlington Mayor Cllr Anne-Marie Curry spoke of the unparalleled strength of the Ukrainian people.
She said: “One year ago today, the lives of Ukrainian people were shattered as Russian forces began pouring across their border, with the sole air of conquering their home.
"However, rather than yielding to the invaders, the Ukrainian people have shown their bravery, determination and love for their nation, as they rallied in defence of their home.
"Ukrainian citizens of all ages, who were used to holding mobile phones exchanged these for rifles, and hoodies were exchanged for camouflage and body armour, and 'see you after work' exchanged for 'will I ever see you again?'”
Meanwhile in Newcastle crowds gathered around Grey’s moment to join in the national minute’s silence at 11am to mark the anniversary of the invasion.
Protestors held signs branded with “Putin get out of Ukraine” and “Help Ukraine Stop the War”.
By Grey's monument, in the centre of the city's shopping district, crowds stood in silence to commemorate the sacrifice of those who have been injured or killed in Ukraine's defence.
Since the war broke out a year ago, Newcastle has had regular anti-war protests in the city centre, organised by the city's Ukrainian community and supporters.
The minutes-silence evoked strong emotions in many of those protesting - with many proud of Ukraine's resilience, whilst devastated by the destruction of the ongoing combat.
Writing in yesterday’s Northern Echo the Bishop of Durham Paul Butler: “For so many, it has been a year marked with deep suffering and loss. War has come with a great cost.
“Ukraine has experienced the extensive destruction of buildings, infrastructure and homes; the death of thousands of its people, and millions have been forced to leave behind their homes and lives in search of safety.
“On this anniversary, our thoughts are with those who are affected most, as we join with them in solidarity.”
Ukrainians described the anniversary as both terrible and inspiring for them because Ukraine has defied expectations that it might quickly fall to Moscow’s invasion forces.
At least 100,000 of each side’s soldiers are estimated to have been killed or injures, thousands more civilians have died and more than 13 million people have been made refugees or displaced inside Ukraine.
Elsewhere a vigil took place in London’s Trafalgar Square, organised by the Ukrainian and US embassies, and 461 paper angels were hung from the roof of the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London to commemorate each Ukrainian child that has died in the past year.
King Charles III paid tribute to the “remarkable courage and resilience” on Friday.
Charles, who earlier this week met Ukrainian recruits being trained by UK and international forces, said he hoped the outpouring of solidarity with the nation would bring “strength from the knowledge that, together, we stand united”.
In a message to mark one year on from the start of the conflict, the King said: “It has now been a year that the people of Ukraine have suffered unimaginably from an unprovoked full-scale attack on their nation.
“They have shown truly remarkable courage and resilience in the face of such human tragedy.
“The world has watched in horror at all the unnecessary suffering inflicted upon Ukrainians, many of whom I have had the great pleasure of meeting here in the UK and, indeed, across the world, from Romania to Canada.
“Earlier this month I met President Zelensky at Buckingham Palace to express my personal support for the people of Ukraine. It is heartening that the United Kingdom, along with its allies, is doing everything possible to help at this most difficult time.
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“Therefore, I can only hope the outpouring of solidarity from across the globe may bring not only practical aid, but also strength from the knowledge that, together, we stand united.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak joined in the national minute’s silence outside No 10 alongside his wife Akshata Murty, Kyiv’s ambassador to Britain Vadym Prystaiko and dozens of Ukrainian troops being trained in the UK.
Sunak used a call with G7 leaders, including US President Joe Biden, to “move faster” in arming Volodymyr Zelensky’s resistance against the invasion.
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