One year since Russia invaded Ukraine

24^th February marks one year since Russia invaded Ukraine to begin what it called a ‘special military operation’.

With the Russian invasion widely condemned by many countries and their peoples, the resulting war as Ukrainians defend themselves, has seen many casualties and a huge displacement of Ukrainian people fleeing their homes to seek shelter and safety in the welcoming arms other countries. Sometimes leaving loved ones behind to fight against Russian troops the journey is inevitably emotional.

Here’s to hoping that there is only this one year anniversary since Russia invaded Ukraine with the ongoing war and that at some point soon there will be peace…

Following the attacks on Ukraine by Russia, around 2000 people in support of Ukraine gathered and protested in Almaty. People stood for the Ukrainian national anthem and chanted pro-peace slogans and insults against Vladimir Putin. Kazakhstan. Photo by: Didar Kushamanov/Majority World/UIG
Saint George Ukrainian Festival, Vendor booth with 100 percent of profits donated to support Ukraine sign, 2nd Avenue, Manhattan, New York. Photo: Joan Slatkin/UIG
Chernihiv, view of a destroyed library in a residential area of the city damaged by bombing during the Russian invasion on April 16, 2022. Russian military forces entered the territory of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Photo: Nicola Marfisi/AGF/UIG
Milan, Arco della Pace, Demonstration against the war in Ukraine organized by the Municipality of Milan. Photo: Nicola Marfisi/AGF/UIG
We Stand with Ukraine poster in front yard of residential area, Queens, New York. Photo: Lindsey Nicholson/UIG
Medyka, pianist Davide Martello, German of Sicilian origin, 40 years old, on the border between Ukraine and Poland pulling his piano on a trailer, his mission is to play for all the refugees from the war between Russia and Ukraine who are trying to reach the countries of the Union. Photo: Nicola Marfisi/AGF/UIG
Shehyni, large turnout of people fleeing the war in Shehyn, a border town with Poland in Medyka. Photo: Nicola Marfisi/AGF/UIG
Medyka, Russian invasion of Ukraine. Entry of refugees from Ukraine through the Medyka border check point. Photo: Nicola Marfisi/AGF/UIG
Entry of refugees from Ukraine through the border check point in Medyka, camp tents have been set up to provide a first refuge for the displaced. Photo: Nicola Marfisi/AGF/UIG
Romania Ukraine border. Hundreds of refugees fleeing the war arrive in the emergency structures built by the Romanian government near the Siret border. The tents made available to refugees. Photo: Alessandro Serrano/AGF/UIG
Ukranian refugees at a temporary shelter created inside the big ballroom and reception hall of the luxurious hotel Mandachi, in the Romanian town of Suceava, around 30 minutes from the border between Ukraine and Romania. Photo: Giulio Paletta/UIG
Florence pacifist demonstration Cities stand with Ukraine. Photo: Aleandro Biagianti/AGF/UIG
Isaccea border post, Romania. Reception of Ukrainian refugees by the Romanian Red Cross. Distribution of hot drinks, food, stuffed animals, clothing, diapers, medicines. Photo: Pascal Bachelet/BSIP/UIG
Shehyni, large turnout of people fleeing the war in Shehyn, a border town with Poland in Medyka. Photo: Nicola Marfisi/AGF/UIG
Saint George Ukrainian Festival, vendor display selling ribbons to support Ukraine, 2nd Avenue, Manhattan, New York. Joan Slatkin/UIG
Hrebenne, northern Poland – Ukraine border entry and first reception of Ukrainian war refugees. Photo: Nicola Marfisi/AGF/UIG
Los Angeles Stands with Ukraine Rally at City Hall in defense of Ukraine, California. Photo: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/UCG/UIG
Reception of Ukrainian refugees at the Isaccea border post on the Black Sea in Romania. (Photo by: Pascal Bachelet/BSIP/UIG)
Support for Ukraine, Ukrainian national flags flying outside shops, Saxmundham, Suffolk, England, UK. Photo: Geography Photos/UIG