The Ukrainian Community in Bolton have marked “500 days of struggle and resilience” since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
Residents gathered in Bolton town centre on Saturday, July 8, to commemorate the lives lost to the war and to raise awareness of the atrocities taking place in their homeland.
Ukrainians, and allies of their community in Bolton sang songs, held banners and wore Ukrainian flags around their shoulders as a show of solidarity.
READ MORE: Bolton NHS Foundation Trust celebrates 75 years today
The group, as well as passers-by, heard a speech by Yaroslaw Tymchyshyn, Bolton branch chairman of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, who condemned war crimes committed by the Russian army in Ukraine and called for the return of Ukrainian land, including Crimea, from Russia.
Speaking to the Bolton News, Yaroslaw said: “Today is the 500th day since Russia prolonged its war against Ukraine on the 24th of February last year.
“The war started in 2014 in Donbas, as far as we’re concerned it’s an extension of the war.
“Its been 500 days since we’ve had struggle, resilience from the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian army. There are heroes and heroines who have given their lives for Ukrainian freedom, independence and self-determination.
“It’s been 500 days of David fighting Goliath, and David winning again and again.”
Yaroslaw thanked the people of Bolton and the UK for the support they have shown to the people of Ukrainian, including those who have sought refuge here and those who remain at home.
READ MORE: Victorian Plumbing staff volunteer at Emmaus Bolton
He said: “You only have to look at the number of Ukrainians who are housed with families in Bolton, you only have to look at the support we’ve had from Bolton Council.
“I can’t speak to you highly enough of Bolton and Boltonions.
“There’s support throughout the political spectrum, there’s none of us and them.
“[In the community] of Ukrainians who’ve come over, there’s none of us and them, we are one, we are one family, we are one community.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel