Ukrainians in Ireland

The anniversary of Russia's attack on Ukraine was on 24th February. In three years, 4 million people have been forced to move to other areas to stay safe. A further 6.8 million refugees have mainly gone to neighbouring countries.

However, 110,000 refugees have found safety across the continent in Ireland. Hundreds of these Ukrainians met in Dublin for the anniversary. It's given them an opportunity to show support for friends and family back home. When student Artem Kuraksyn was just 15, his home city of Kharkiv changed overnight.

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 event's also allowed refugees to connect and raise their voices. They're reminding world leaders, who are currently holding peace talks, to make decisions that respect the future of Ukrainian people.

Olha Chekmaieva's a member of the march organiser, Ukrainian Action in Ireland. She's keen to remind leaders of Ukrainians' rights.

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."

While talks continue, Ukrainians have warm words to say about their hosts in Ireland. They've looked after them well.

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 had expected to complete his invasion of Ukraine within only a few days. However, after 3 years of fighting, Russia's achieved limited success in the war. It's gained just 11 percent more Ukrainian land than it had taken before the attack happened.

The number of dead or injured Russians hasn't been published. However, 42,000 Ukrainian civilians have been innocent victims and huge areas of land destroyed. As student Anastasia Koslova explains, today Ukrainians are feeling a mix of emotions.

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." View Less