Ukrainians remember start of war - 10th March 2025

24th February was the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Since it started, over 4 million refugees have had to move within Ukraine. And 6.8 million have escaped abroad.

Many refugees went to countries nearby. But around 110,000 Ukrainians were given a safe home by Ireland.

Hundreds are in Dublin for this anniversary. They're showing support for family and friends in Ukraine. Student Artem Kuraksyn used to live in Kharkiv. He was 15 when everything changed.

Artem Kuraksyn: "Today is 23rd of February. And it's - for me, three years ago, it was the last day of peace. It was last day of peaceful life. And since then, everything has changed. The next day, 24th of February, at 4am - I live in Kharkiv, I lived in Kharkiv, it is a city that borders Russia. We heard explosions and the peaceful life was over."

The refugees carried a message through the streets. They want to be heard. International leaders are looking for a solution which will stop the fighting.

Leaders must remember that decisions affect Ukraine and its people, says Olha Chekmaieva. She's part of Ukrainian Action in Ireland, which arranged the event.

Olha Chekmaieva: "We want to be heard. We want the politicians to remember that behind their decisions right now - the decisions that they, where, where they do not include us as country and as people - that we are still there. That there are people's destinies behind it."

Refugees have also talked about life in Ireland. Artem says they have received an amazing welcome here.

Artem Kuraksyn: "I spent a year there, and only in July 2023 I arrived in Ireland. And this country's welcomed me, and it was amazing here. It's welcoming country. They respectful to you, and they understand your struggles."

President Putin thought that Russia could take over Ukraine easily. But the war's already lasted three years and Russia's progress has been slow. It only controls 11 percent more land in Ukraine than it had controlled before the war.

The fighting's destroyed lots of Ukraine's land. 42,000 everyday Ukrainians have died or been hurt because of the war. This is why, for people like student Anastasia Koslova, the situation isn't simple.

Anastasia Koslova: "We all feel sadness today, but in the same time, we are proud for our fighters. We are proud for our fathers, brothers, sisters, mothers, who are try to save our country from the occupation."