Nottingham marks four years since Ukraine invasion with vigil and rally

The full scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia continues, and reaches its four year mark on the 24th February.

The war still progresses at a horrific scale, despite media coverage in the UK decreasing. NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, estimated 65,000 casualties of Russian soldiers in the past two months alone. Although a similar estimate for Ukrainian losses has not been given, the Center for Strategic and International Studies released a report suggesting that the casualties on both sides of this war will reach 2,000,000 by spring. 1.2 million of those impact Russian forces.

The CSIS report presents the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, as headstrong and confident, but with little reason to be. The war is progressing "slower than almost any major offensive campaign in any war in the last century". Yet still the war remains insufferable for those who have to live and fight through it.

Since the start of the war, the United Kingdom continues its Homes for Ukraine scheme, where special visas have been given to those fleeing their home country. This allows members of the public to host a family as well as allowing them access to many UK services, like the NHS and the right to work during the scheme.

Nottingham County Council have additionally run a scheme in the past (currently closed for new applicants) which offered up to £5,000 to support applicants through this difficult period.

Michael Holod, Chair of the Nottingham Ukrainian Cultural Centre, when asked if these measures were adequate said, "We recently had a meeting with the Council. In the broadest, nothing is perfect, but I think under the circumstances [the schemes are] meeting the needs of new arrivals."

City Hub Ukraine is an organisation in Nottingham which collect and deliver items and funds to Ukraine, with the help of places like Nottingham City Hospital and Nottingham-based Trident Security.

Mr Holod told us that the most important thing people of Nottingham can do to help is to "not forget what's at stake".

"Ukraine is a European country. We in the west have to remember they are on the frontline, just trying to exist," he said. "We need to remind ourselves and colleagues that the war goes on. The least we can do is remember how this [illegal invasion] happened."

The Nottingham-Ukraine Solidarity Campaign has run vigils and marches through the city over the years, much longer than anyone had hoped to be needed. Their next event is a vigil held at the Brian Clough statue at 6pm tonight. There will be a march and rally held on Saturday, 28th February at 1.30pm.