Ukrainian's living in Bournemouth mark one year since Russia's war

Since February last year, people from all parts of Ukraine fled their country and many ended up in Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and its neighbouring towns and many gathered to send out a message to us British: Putin’s relentless war is still happening and it needs to stop. 

Ukrainians held placards with slogans damning Russia's invasion, formed a circle for a moment of quiet reflection and then marched up Old Christchurch Road from the Square, draped in Ukrainian flags, on Saturday, February 25. 

Iryna Mozhova, from Kyiv (Image: Daily Echo)

Iryna Mozhova, from Kyiv and now living in Bournemouth, said: “A lot of British families have hosted all the people who are here today.  

“They all came here to draw the attention to the British people what is still happening in Ukraine and to Ukrainian people back home. 

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“We are praying for their freedom. 

“Some people forget what is happening in the world, and our president is trying so hard against Russia.  

Tetiana and her daughter Uishel (Image: Daily Echo)

“A lot of men and women in Ukraine are quite strong and brave and stood up and they are very brave.  

“A year has passed, and their willpower and energy are reducing, and we are really scared because can you imagine the size of Russia compared to Ukraine? 

“We are very grateful to the world that they are supporting us with machines, training forces, but unfortunately our army has not expanded and we are losing energy.” 

Tetiana, who fled Ukraine with her young daughter Uishel, said she has known eight close people to die as a result of the war. 

She said: “I came here to save my child’s life. We spent many months not seeing any light as we stayed in a shelter hiding from the enemies. 

“After several months, my daughter finally had a smile when she came to the UK. 

Ki Davylnyk (R) with her friend (Image: Daily Echo)

“I’m very grateful for everything we have here, my daughter can make friends with other kids.” 

Fourteen-year-old Ki Bavylnyk lived in an area where Russian tanks first moved into Ukraine a year ago and now lives in Brockenhurst. She said: “I heard it more than I saw it. 

“It was loud and on the first there was a panic and we didn’t know what was going on.” 

She added she was at the march as she wanted to remind people the war was still happening.