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Bristol Ukrainian community marks fourth anniversary of Russian invasion
Bristol’s Ukrainian community has marked the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion with a series of events across the city, including a flag-raising ceremony on College Green exactly four years to the day.
On Tuesday, members of the community gathered alongside civic leaders as the blue and yellow Ukrainian flag was raised in a symbolic act of solidarity.
The ceremony was followed by a moment of reflection and a gathering at City Hall, offering space for conversation and support.
The anniversary has also been marked by other events in recent days.
On Tuesday, members of the community gathered alongside civic leaders to mark the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine – photo: UAW
On Saturday, more than 200 people attended a “Ukraine Not Forgotten” commemoration organised by Ukraine Aid and Welfare.
The event began at College Green before a peaceful march through the city centre to The Galleries, where performances, exhibitions and workshops celebrated Ukrainian culture while highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The programme featured traditional choir and bandura performances, contributions from children at Ukrainian School Bristol and an exhibition titled Paint of War: Ukraine Through the Eyes of a Child. Organisers also raised funds for emergency winter energy support for families in Ukraine.
According to estimates by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Ukraine has suffered up to 600,000 casualties, including as many as 140,000 deaths.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reports that more than 15,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since the invasion, including 739 children.
Four years of fighting have left Ukraine facing devastating human and physical losses.
Bristol’s Ukrainian community has marked the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion with a series of events across the city, including a flag-raising ceremony on College Green exactly four years to the day – photo: UAW
Cities, homes, transport networks and energy infrastructure have been heavily damaged by sustained missile and drone attacks, farmland has been mined and millions of people displaced. The cost of rebuilding is estimated at around $588bn, roughly three times Ukraine’s annual economic output.
Antonina Grebeniuk, founder and director of Ukraine Aid and Welfare, said the anniversary was both a “moment of remembrance and resolve”.
She said: “Four years on, the pain and destruction in Ukraine continue — but so does our solidarity.
Four years of fighting have left Ukraine facing devastating human and physical losses – photo: Tetiana Tymchenko
“Here in Bristol, we stand together not only to remember those lost, but to support families who are still suffering and to protect the future of Ukraine’s children.
“We are deeply grateful to the city and its community for standing with Ukraine — through compassion, action and continued support.”
The event at the Galleries on Saturday included a celebration of Ukrainian culture – photo: Tetiana Tymchenko
The events brought together residents, community groups and council representatives, underlining Bristol’s continued support for Ukraine four years after the invasion began.
Among those attending, alongside founder and director Antonina Grebeniuk, were chair of trustees William Maude-Roxby and Tetiana Bezsmertna.
Local leaders in attendance for Tuesday’s event included the lord mayor of Bristol, Henry Michallat; Bristol City Council leader Tony Dyer; deputy leader Heather Mack; vice-dean Neil Patterson; councillors Paul Goggin and Stephen Williams, as well as representatives from the Homes for Ukraine and resettlement teams and partner organisations supporting Ukraine.
In 2024, UAW established a school to help preserve Ukrainian language and culture for the younger generation – photo: UAW
Around 1,000 Ukrainians are believed to have found refuge in Bristol since 2022, rebuilding their lives in the city.
In 2024, Ukraine Aid and Welfare established a school to help preserve Ukrainian language and culture for the younger generation. They are based at the Ukrainian Hub at Westbury-on-Trym Methodist Church.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, around 1,000 Ukrainians settled in Bristol – photo: Colin Rayner
The event on Saturday began at College Green before a peaceful march through the city centre to The Galleries, where performances, exhibitions and workshops celebrated Ukrainian culture – photo: Tetiana Tymchenko
The event on College Green was attended by 200 people – photo: Colin Rayner
Main photo: UAW
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