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Ukrainians mark three year conflict - 10th March 2025

Russia's full-scale assault on Ukraine reached its three-year milestone on 24 February 2025. The conflict's led to an estimated 4 million Ukrainian citizens being displaced internally and approximately 6.8 million having to seek refuge abroad.

While these refugees have predominantly found shelter in neighbouring countries, 110,000 have been received by Ireland. On the eve of the anniversary of the invasion, hundreds from this diaspora community have congregated in Dublin to honour their friends and families who've remained in the war-torn country. Aged just 15, student Artem Kuraksyn witnessed the assault Russia had launched on his homeland.

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."

As well as having a social purpose for Ukrainian refugees, the political dimension to their demonstration was clear. At a time when global heads of state are seeking to resolve the conflict, it provided a fitting moment for this displaced community to make their voices heard. Spokesperson for the march organiser Ukrainian Action in Ireland, Olha Chekmaieva highlights its significance.

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."

As efforts to broker a peace deal evolved on the international stage, refugees expressed gratitude for the hearty welcome and empathy they've received in Ireland.

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."

Despite thinking his invasion would see Ukraine fall within days, it's evident Russia's special military operation hasn't gone quite as planned for President Putin. With the war having wreaked devastation of vast tracts of the country, Russia controls merely 11 percent more Ukrainian territory than it had previously, following its 2014 offensive.

While Russia's refused to disclose its military losses in terms of casualties, records show that 42,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed or injured. On the anniversary, these realities have brought up conflicting emotions, something expressed by English student Anastasia Koslova.

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."