The war in Ukraine: One year on Exeter marks one year since the invasion of Ukraine

Harry Craig Music Editor

EXETER has continued to show their solidarity with the people of Ukraine, as the world marked the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24th February. The Devon Ukrainian Association, in partnership with cultural charity Maketank, held a vigil in Princesshay’s Bedford Square on the evening of Friday 24th February.

Over 100 people were in attendance to express their support for Ukraine and the 1600 Ukrainians who call Devon home. Prior to the vigil, attendees were given candles to hold, and Ukrainian flags were distributed, whilst many also came with their own banners, flags and signs.

The vigil began with some words from Exeter City Council leader Phil Bialyk, himself of Ukrainian heritage, who remarked how he was “saddened” that his ancestral homeland had been put in the global spotlight in this way. He appealed for Ukrainians to be allowed to live independently and peacefully, and expressed his desire that it would not be necessary to gather again in the same way in a year’s time.

Bialyk’s speech was followed by a traditional Ukrainian prayer and a minute’s silence. This was interrupted by an abusive heckler, but the crowds remained vigilant in continuing the silence in solidarity with Ukraine. Other passers-by were joined in with the shout of “Slava Ukraini!”, a battle cry that has become emblematic of Ukraine’s resistance in the past year.

There was also an opportunity for students from the University’s Ukrainian Society to participate, with a speech given by Vice-President Oleg Girnyk, who has also worked with charities to help Ukrainian refugees. He gave a personal account of how his own family had been affected by the war. His godfather living in Bucha, the site of some of the war’s worst massacres, when the invasion began. The Ukrainian Society marked the anniversary earlier in the day at Streatham Campus, with a display in the Forum and a joint photo to show their solidarity with Ukraine. This was followed by a rendition of the Ukrainian national anthem from the crowds that had gathered, as the sun set over Exeter High Street. Although many of the non-Ukrainian members of the crowd were unable to join in, all showed their support, and the Head of the Devon Ukrainian Association and others were visibly moved. The Head of the Devon Ukrainian Association then thanked those who had shown their support to Ukraine in the past twelve months, and invited Exeter’s residents to visit the exhibition “With [Y] our Own Eyes”, featuring photography of the frontline and of everyday life in

Ukraine, at Maketank. She concluded by emulating the words of President Zelenskyy that “this will be the year of victory”.

Following the vigil, Exeposé spoke to Phil Bialyk, who reiterated that this was “a day of remembering, not celebrating” and appealed for the killing to end. He