Ceremonies mark the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Ceremonies are taking place to mark the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.

A year after the war began events were held in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other world cities.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky hands over a flag to a serviceman during a ceremony dedicated to the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 24, 2023IMAGE SOURCE,UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky hands over a flag to a serviceman during a ceremony titled, ‘February, Year, Invincibility’ on Sofiivska Square in Kyiv.

“We endured. We were not defeated,” Mr Zelensky says, vowing Ukraine will do everything to win, a year on from the invasion by Russian armed forces.

A handout picture made available by the presidential press service shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaking at the event 'February, Year, Invincibility' on Sofiivska Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, 24 February 2023 on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion.IMAGE SOURCE,PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE
Servicemen stand to attention during a ceremony dedicated to the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 24, 2023IMAGE SOURCE,UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE

A minute’s silence was held across the UK at 11:00 GMT led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak outside Downing Street, alongside Ukrainian ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystaiko, his wife Inna Prystaiko and members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy, Ukrainian Ambassador to UK Vadym Prystaiko and wife Inna Prystaiko observe a minute's silence to mark the one year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in London, Britain, February 24, 2023.IMAGE SOURCE,PETER NICHOLLS/REUTERS
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is joined by the Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko, his wife Inna Prustaiko, members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and representatives from each Interflex nation, outside 10 Downing Street, London, 24 February 2023.IMAGE SOURCE,JORDAN PETTITT/PA

Ukrainian community groups gather at Grey’s Monument in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.

Northeast Ukrainian community groups gather at Grey's Monument to mark the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, on February 24, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United KingdomIMAGE SOURCE,IAN FORSYTH/GETTY IMAGES
A woman holds a banner as members of northeast Ukrainian community groups gather at Grey's Monument to mark the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, on February 24, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.IMAGE SOURCE,IAN FORSYTH/GETTY IMAGES

Ukrainian teenager, Alisa Bushuieva, who was forced to flee with her mother in February last year, played piano to the crowd following a minute’s silence at Peter’s Lane in Liverpool.

Ukrainian teenager, Alisa Bushuieva, who was forced to flee her country with her mother, Svitlana, in February last year, plays piano to the crowd following a minute's silence at Peter's Lane in Liverpool ONE.IMAGE SOURCE,PETER BYRNE/PA

Children from St Mary’s Ukrainian School lit some of the 52 candles – one for each week of the war – during an ecumenical prayer service at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London.

Children from St Mary's Ukrainian School lighting some of the 52 candles - one for each week of the war - during an ecumenical prayer service at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London24 February 2023IMAGE SOURCE,YUI MOK/PA

Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski conducted the service, which included a speech delivered by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

The cathedral is decorated by 461 paper angels, one for each child that has died in the past year according to the official statistics.

Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of London Kenneth Nowakowski (c) conducts the ecumenical prayer service at Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, in London, on 24 February 2023,IMAGE SOURCE,DANIEL LEAL/AFP
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan lights a candle, part of the 52 candles symbolising the 52 weeks of the conflict, during the ecumenical prayer service at Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, in London, 24 February 2023IMAGE SOURCE,DANIEL LEAL/AFP

People take part in a national prayer for peace at St. Martin’s Cathedral, the Dom Church in Utrecht, Netherlands.

Churchgoers during a national prayer for peace in Ukraine in the Cathedral in Utrecht. The meeting takes place one year after the invasion by Russia.IMAGE SOURCE,HOLLANDSE HOOGTE/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
A national prayer for peace in Ukraine in the Cathedral in Utrecht, NetherlandsIMAGE SOURCE,HOLLANDSE HOOGTE/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
People attend a national prayer for peace in Ukraine in the Cathedral in UtrechtIMAGE SOURCE,HOLLANDSE HOOGTE/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

Ukrainian military recruits gathered for prayers, blessings and a one-minute silence alongside British and Canadian troops, during a sunrise commemorative service at Lydd army camp in Kent, south-east England.

Ukrainian military recruits take part in prayers, blessings and a one minute silence alongside British and Canadian troops, to mark the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, at a military base in the south east of Britain, February 24, 2023.IMAGE SOURCE,HENRY NICHOLLS/REUTERS
Ukrainian troops and their UK military instructors, commemorate lives lost in the Russian invasion of Ukraine during a sunrise commemorative service, at Lydd army camp in Kent, to mark the one-year anniversary of the start of the conflict.IMAGE SOURCE,GARETH FULLER/PA
Ukrainian military recruits line up before taking part in prayers, blessings and a one minute silence alongside British and Canadian troops, to mark the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, at a military base in the south east of Britain, February 24, 2023.IMAGE SOURCE,HENRY NICHOLLS/REUTERS

Protesters held a rally, against Russia’s aggression on Ukraine, in a rainy Tokyo.

Protesters show off placards, as they hold a rally against Russia's aggression on Ukraine, on the day to mark the first anniversary of the Ukraine War, in Tokyo, Japan February 24, 2023.IMAGE SOURCE,ISSEI KATO/ REUTERS
Protesters show off placards, as they hold a rally against Russia's aggression on Ukraine, on the day to mark the first anniversary of the Ukraine War, in Tokyo, Japan February 24, 2023.IMAGE SOURCE,ISSEI KATO/ REUTERS

A candlelight vigil took place outside UN University in the city.

Ukrainians living in Japan hold anti-war placards and take part in the candlelight vigil for peace at the the Osaka Museum of History site on February 24, 2023 in Osaka, Japan.IMAGE SOURCE,BUDDHIKA WEERASINGHE/GETTY IMAGES
People take part in a candlelight vigil outside UN University to mark the one year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in Tokyo on February 24, 2023.IMAGE SOURCE,PHILIP FONG/AFP

People gather during a candlelight vigil to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine at Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia.

People gather during a candlelight vigil to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine at Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia, 24 February 2023.IMAGE SOURCE,JAMES ROSS/EPA-EFE/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

Ukrainians and their supporters in Sydney participate in the “365 Days Strong” rally and candlelight vigil at St Mary’s Cathedral Square.

The sails of the Sydney Opera House were illuminated with the colours of the Ukrainian flag later in the day.

Ukrainians in Sydney and their supporters gathered at St. Mary's Cathedral Square during the '365 Days Strong' rally and candlelight vigil.IMAGE SOURCE,LISA MAREE WILLIAMS/GETTY IMAGES
The sails of the Sydney Opera House get illuminated with the colours of the Ukrainian Flag to mark one year since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began, in Sydney, Australia, February 24, 2023.

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