On November 19, Ukraine and the world will mark 1000 days of Russia’s genocidal war of aggression against Ukraine.
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian tanks rolled across the Ukrainian border, Russian rockets hit schools and hospitals. Russian airplanes bombed cities and towns. The Russian assault was met with fierce Ukrainian determination to defend Ukraine’s freedom, statehood and identity. 1000 days later, the Ukrainian people fight on.
Russia has murdered many thousands of innocent Ukrainians. Russia has tortured, raped and maimed innocent Ukrainian women, men and children. Russia has destroyed cities and towns, homes and buildings, dams and roads. Russia has committed countless atrocities and crimes against humanity. But Russia has not destroyed the Ukrainian peoples’ resolve to remain free. Nor will they, ever.
As we mark 1000 days of Russia’s war, we honour the courage of the Ukrainian people, who united in common purpose, defend their country from Russia’s attempt to erase Ukraine from the world map. We remember those who gave their lives for Ukraine’s freedom. May Their Memory Be Eternal. Вічная Пам’ять.
We honour the Ukrainian soldier, who fights with courage and ingenuity. We honour the Ukrainian firefighter, who extinguishes the blazes caused by Russian airstrikes. We honour the Ukrainian engineer, who restores power to cities and towns after Russian missile attacks. We honour the Ukrainian doctor and nurse, who work tirelessly to heal the injured. We honour the Ukrainian faith leaders, who give comfort to those who lost loved ones. We honour the Ukrainian teacher, who continues, under Russian bombardment, to educate Ukraine’s youth in bomb shelters and subway stations.
We thank the many friends and allies of Ukraine around the world, who continue to provide support for Ukraine’s war effort and for the humanitarian needs of Ukrainians. We recall that Ukrainians fight not only in defence of their own freedom, but that of all of Europe. We call on our government and the governments of all democratic states to provide Ukraine with the weapons and the economic aid they urgently need.
We ask God to bring Ukraine Victory.
Слава Україні! Героям Слава!
