Hundreds of people attend London Ukraine March for peace

Many people who support Ukraine walked through central London to show that it has been two years since Russia invaded Ukraine.

People met at Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park and then walked to Trafalgar Square for a vigil.

Many people were wearing Ukrainian flags and some were holding signs asking Russia to stop the war.

Since February 2022, the UN says that 10,582 people who are not in the military have died in Ukraine because of Russia’s invasion.

As people marched in the streets, some yelled “support Ukraine” and women wore traditional Ukrainian head wreaths.

Nataliia Rusinko left her husband in the UK to fight against Russian forces. She said it was really difficult because she didn’t know how long she would have to be away and had to leave her husband behind.

Anna said that it was difficult to leave because her friends were still there and they were the only friends she had.

A church service for people of different faiths also happened at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London.

The Bishop for Ukrainian Catholics in Great Britain, Reverend Kenneth Nowakowski, said: “Today, we need to focus on two things. ” I hope that the war will end soon, not just with a ceasefire, but with a win and peace with fairness.

The Church said the events in London and the UK on Saturday were very important. They are asking everyone to come together and stand united against aggression from other countries.

In a sad and meaningful gesture, there were 528 paper angels hanging from the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral’s balcony, one for each Ukrainian child who died in the conflict, as reported by Ukrainian authorities.

Many people at the event wore blue and yellow ribbons or sunflowers, which are symbols of peace and strength. Some also held Ukrainian flags.

As of February 20th this year, over 252,600 visas have been given to people from Ukraine in the UK under different programs. Many people have come to London.

Iryna Terlecky from a group that helps Ukrainians who come to a new place, told the BBC, “The people are very emotional. ” Many of them have experienced very painful and difficult experiences.

“Some people had to move inside Ukraine three or four times. ”

Speaking to BBC London, Housing Minister Felicity Buchan said, “Now is the time to show that we will never let tyranny win. We will support Ukraine today and in the future. ”

“We will help Ukraine as much as we can, for as long as they need us. ”

Ms Rusinko said she will always be thankful to the people in the UK for helping Ukraine and allowing refugees to come live there.

Two kids named Sofia and Katia, with their moms, went to the protest. Sofia is nine and Katia is 12.

Sofia told the BBC about the scary time when she had to leave Kyiv, and Katia remembers running away from Kherson when Russian soldiers took control of the city.

At 4am, my mom told me that the war had begun. Katia said, “I was confused and didn’t understand the war, so I didn’t believe it. ”

She put her things in a bag and was told she couldn’t bring her dog.

After some time, she found out that her grandfather was killed, and people said Russian soldiers did it.

Both the girls are in the UK now, and they are thankful to the country for its support.

“While we were in the car, something exploded close to us and I got scared. My mom told me it was just some fireworks. ” After we were safe, she told me that the shelling was from Russia.

Since February 24, 2022, 10,582 people from Ukraine have died and 19,875 have been hurt, according to the UN. The real numbers could be even higher.