‘It's good to feel closer to other Ukrainians’: Thousands join march to mark anniversary of Russian invasion

Thousands of Ukraine supporters joined a peace march in central London on Saturday to mark the second anniversary of the Russian invasion.

Demonstrators gathered at Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park before walking to Trafalgar Square for a vigil.

Many were draped in Ukrainian flags and some held signs urging Russia to "stop the war". Many women wore traditional Ukrainian wreaths on their heads.

At least 10,582 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since the war started on February 24 2022, according to the most recent figures released by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), as well as 19,875 injured.

In Trafalgar Square, several speakers addressed the crowds including Labour MP John McDonnell and assistant general secretary of the PCS union John Moloney.

A minute’s silence was also held and the Ukrainian national anthem was sung.

Anna, 37, who moved to London from Crimea two years ago said attending events like this made her feel better as she could see a lot of support.

“I think that we are far from the end. Russia is relentlessly attacking so I don’t think that the war will stop and the thing is that there is only one side that can stop it and that’s Russia,” Anna told LondonWorld.

“Of course I do feel better attending things like this as I can see a lot of support, I can see a lot of people here and of course I’m hopeful that much needed help will arrive.”

Diana, 31, who moved to London a year and a half ago said today made her feel closer to other Ukrainians.

“I feel proud that people have come to do their duty. It's very uniting, it's good to feel closer to other Ukrainians,” she told LondonWorld.

“My town wasn’t bombed by Russians like many other places but it was still quite stressful to be there.

“At the moment I can do my best to support my family and support Ukraine from here. I feel good about being in London as Britain supports Ukraine a lot.”

More than six million refugees from Ukraine are scattered across Europe according to figures from the UNHCR, the UN's refugee agency. The figure is around 14% of the country's population.

Roughly 31.6 million people left Ukraine at the beginning of the year, while 20.8 million have since returned to the country.