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‘Terrified’ Ukrainians call on Bristol’s support at vigil
Scores of people gathered in Bristol City Centre for a vigil to show solidarity with Ukraine.
Groups came together with placards and banners, some reading ‘sanctions for Russia’, at 4pm to protest the escalating situation in eastern Europe.
Whilst winds howled on College Green, demonstrators, many visibly emotional, sang the Ukrainian national anthem and held flags of their country.
is needed now More than ever
The vigil was staged after Russia launched a large-scale military attack on Ukraine, its southern neighbour, on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Calling on Bristol to “stand with Ukraine”, the peaceful demonstration was organised by the Ukrainian community in the city through an event posted on social media.

photo: Betty Woolerton
Ukrainian-born Iryna Stanier fought back tears during the vigil as she told Bristol24/7 of her fears for family back home.
The Bristol University researcher from Khmelnitskiy said: “We all woke up with very horrible news in the morning that my country was invaded and my family and friends are not safe anymore.
“We are here to show support and make sure Europe will do everything they can to protect us.”
Another protester, Olya Radetskaya, who has lived in Bristol for nine years, asked the people of Bristol to spread their message.
She said: “It has been incredibly worrying and terrifying. But what happened today is just unbelievable, unimaginable.
“I would like people to understand that this is not a war between Russia and Ukraine anymore, this is so much more than that. It’s about Putin attacking the whole of the west with his actions.”
Radetskaya too has family in Ukraine and spoke of their plight as war begins to rage around them.
She added: “My niece and her family have spent all morning in a cellar because it was shelling around the city they live in. My friend had to go to the doctor in the morning and nearly got blown up. A lot of people who are trying to leave can’t get out.”
The group are imploring the city to express their support, with the Facebook page for the vigil reading: “We are meeting to express zero tolerance to and our unity against this horrible war. Bring flags and let’s stand with Ukraine together.
“We will defend our freedom and democratic world, we will stand strong but we do need your support. International community must act immediately. Future of Europe and the world are at stake.”
The demonstration came as West of England metro mayor Dan Norris urged solidarity with Ukraine.
He wrote to Vitali Klitschko, mayor of Kiev to express his personal support and pass of the good wishes of the South West this critical moment for Kiev and Ukraine as Russian troops cross the border.
Norris said: “Hostile helicopters, tanks and explosions in Europe – this is not what any of us wanted or expected to see in the 21st century. It harks back to a darker time and so we must act.
“At a national and international level the hardest possible sanctions must now be implemented against all those linked to the Putin regime. But we here in the West of England also have our part to play.
“Looking at the Russian finance coming into the region is the right and moral thing to do. I know the people of our region will be deeply concerned by the scenes in Ukraine and the threat to the democratically elected government in Kiev and Ukrainian way of life. The actions over the last few days by the Russian government is a grave danger to international order and stability.”
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Main photo: Betty Woolerton
Read more: Two protests in one day bring city to a standstill
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