The Ukrainian president stood before the site of the first major battle of the war today and promised his people they would see victory.
‘We will win,’ Volodymyr Zelensky said resolutely at a ceremony at Hostomel Airport, where Russian invaders were turned back after sweeping towards Kyiv in 2022 at the start of their so-called ‘three-day invasion’.
As Zelensky meets with foreign leaders to mark the two year anniversary of the war and discuss future sanctions on Russia, supporters around the world have likewise gathered to protest the invasion and pray for the Ukrainian people.
In London, an inter-faith prayer session at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral near Bond Street saw supporters of diverse backgrounds and beliefs join together in a show of support for the resistance, praying for an end to the wanton destruction that has torn through Ukraine, leaving no life untouched.
And in Edinburgh, people holding signs on behalf of different European nations were seen caped in Ukrainian flags and sharing messages opposing the Russian invasion.
A sea of blue and yellow swept through Berlin as protestors gathered in front of the Brandenburg Gate to wave flags and listen to the words of Ukrainian soldiers rehabilitated in Germany, who pleaded with the public to ‘make sure that you won’t become soldiers by letting the war [come] close to your borders’.
In Poland, as activists dumped manure outside the Russian ambassador’s home near Warsaw, protestors in Krakow marched with Ukrainian flags and held placards with messages in solidarity. Poland’s leaders assured Ukraine that, in spite of recent differences over trade, Warsaw was resolute in its support for Kyiv’s upheaval.
And in Serbia, a country historically more aligned with Russia, protestors bravely took to the streets to march in the rain and show their support, young demonstrators pictured embracing and shedding tears as they reflected on two brutal years of conflict.
People with placards and Ukrainian flags participate in a march to mark 2 years since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2024 in London
more videos
- 1
- 2
- 3
A Ukrainian young woman, with the Ukrainian flag painted on her face, takes part in a church service to mark the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London, Britain, 24 February 2024
People attend a Prayer Service at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral to mark 2 years since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2024 in London
Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski leads a prayer congregation to mark the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London, Britain, 24 February 2024
Entering its third year, Russia’s unyielding war on Ukraine has raised concerns about how long Western countries will continue providing weapons and other support to Kyiv
People with placards and Ukrainian flags during a march from the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral to mark 2 years since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2024 in London
Members of the Reading Peace Group, The Reading Quakers, Greenpeace, Ukrainian residents of Reading alongside MP Matt Rodda. The peaceful march through the town marking two years since the war in Ukraine. Saturday 24th of February 2024
A mixed group of supporters took part in a march ‘standing with Ukraine’ in Reading, Berkshire on February 24, 2024
Demonstrators take part in a rally in support of Ukraine, to mark the second year of Russia’s military invasion on Ukraine, at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on February 24, 2024
Supporters in Berlin also listened to the voices of soldiers from Ukraine, rehabilitated in Germany, who said: ‘We were once not soldiers, but with the sounds of sirens we became ones. Make sure that you won’t become soldiers by letting the war close to your borders. Help Ukraine win’
A woman in Berlin holds a sign comparing 2024 to 1939, when the Second World War began, as the war in Ukraine enters its third year
A woman cries as she attends a protest against the Russian war in Ukraine in front of the Russian embassy in Berlin, Saturday, February 24, 2024. The protest is marking two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion on Ukraine
People take part in a Stand With Ukraine Against Russian Aggression rally in Edinburgh, Scotland to mark the two year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Saturday February 24, 2024
Protestors caped in Ukrainian flags held banners with messages in support of Ukraine in Edinburgh on Saturday
A sea of blue and yellow swept through the streets of Edinburgh, Scotland on the anniversary of the war
People take part in a Stand With Ukraine Against Russian Aggression rally in Edinburgh, to mark the two year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Picture date: Saturday February 24, 2024
People, holding banners and Ukrainian flags, gather to mark the 2nd anniversary Russia-Ukraine war as they march towards UNESCO listed Main Square in Krakow, Poland on February 24, 2024
Demonstrators wave flares at a ‘Victory for Peace’ march commemorating the anniversary of the Russian invasion, in Milan
People take part in the ‘Victory for Peace’ march in support of Ukraine on February 24, 2024 in Milan, Italy
A woman looks on as she takes part in the ‘Victory for Peace’ march in support of Ukraine on February 24, 2024 in Milan, Italy
Russian people take part in a demonstration in support of Ukraine on February 24, 2024 in Milan, Italy
People, holding banners and Ukrainian flags, gather to mark the 2nd anniversary Russia-Ukraine war as they march towards UNESCO listed Main Square in Krakow, Poland on February 24, 2024
People wear Ukrainian flags as they attend a peace march on the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the Main Market Square in Krakow, Poland, 24 February 2024
People wear Ukrainian flags as they attend a peace march on the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the Main Market Square in Krakow, Poland, 24 February 2024
People display placards as they attend a peace march on the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine at the Main Market Square in Krakow, Poland, 24 February 2024
A sign saying ‘russia = s***’ was planted in a pile of manure left outside the home of the Russian ambassador to Poland
A man takes a picture of a pile of manure dumped by pro-Ukrainian Euromaidan initiative in front of the Russian ambassador’s villa in Konstancin-Jeziorna, outside Warsaw, on February 24
A choir perfom during a Peace Prayer for Ukraine at the Stockholm Royal Palace’s Royal Chapel on February 24, 2024 in Stockholm, Sweden
King Carl Gustav, Queen Silvia, Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Daniel, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia attend a peace prayer in the Palace Church, Royal Palace in Stockholm
Demonstrators wearing helmets from Japanese leftist groups Chukaku and Zengakuren protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine in Tokyo, Japan, 24 February 2024
People gather at the city downtown to show their support to Ukraine, after two years of ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine during its second anniversary on February 24, 2024
A woman, wrapped in a Ukrainian flag, reacts as she participates in a ‘March of Solidarity and Peace’, organised by the Ukrainian embassy in Belgrade on February 24, 2024
A woman, wrapped in a Ukrainian flag, reacts as she participates in a ‘March of Solidarity and Peace’, organised by the Ukrainian embassy in Belgrade on February 24, 2024
People hold a placard as they march through the rain in Belgrade, Serbia as the war in Ukraine enters its third year
A couple holds a placard calling for peace during a rally in Belgrade, Serbia, on 24 February 2024