Town vigil marks four years of conflict in Ukraine

A vigil and evensong service has been held to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

About 150 people gathered in Ipswich town centre on Sunday 22 February, before walking together to Ipswich Minster for a service including prayers and music in Ukrainian.

Among them was Marharyta Romanets, who came to Suffolk from Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, less than 20 miles from the Russian border.

She said: "Our soul is still there, my family is still in there, all my friends... we are trying to do our best for supporting our country from here."

Russia's full-scale invasion began on 24 February 2022, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis that has been ongoing in eastern Ukraine since 2014.

Since the start of the conflict, 1,700 people have resettled in Suffolk under the Homes for Ukraine programme, administered by the county council.

Alina Dolgopolova now lives in Woodbridge.

She said: "I feel very touched so many people came today to support us.

"We feel that some certain countries in Europe, they support Ukraine in a big way, although we're still struggling with this war.

"Ukraine is still a shield against tyranny, against aggression in the 21st Century... and it's very important to feel that kind of help, especially on the anniversary of the full-scale invasion."

David Jacobs' maternal grandmother was Ukrainian.

Since 2022, he has made 19 trips delivering aid to the front line and assisting in recovering casualties.

"It's wonderful to see the kind of resilience of the Ukrainians, you know their incredible can-do attitude and of course they're very appreciative of the aid," he said.

"But obviously it's terrible seeing all the destruction and the suffering, now the weariness of people.

"Its so unnecessary and such a waste of life and of resources, but they're not going to give up because if they do they lose their country and they're fighting for their families."

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