Ukrainians hold service to mark war anniversary

Several marchers in Carlisle carried banners and flags. (BBC)

Kyiv, February 24 — Ukrainians living in Cumbria have come together to mark the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of their homeland.

A service was held at Carlisle Cathedral on Sunday followed by a march for peace.

It is estimated about 600 Ukrainians live in the county.

Alla Stoica, who organised the service and march, said: "I think it was really important for me and for the Ukrainian community in Cumbria to come here and remind the world about the ongoing struggle."

The war has killed tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians, and destroyed swathes of Ukraine.

It began when Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022 following its earlier annexation of Ukrainian territory.

Ms Stoica added: "It's an opportunity for us to commemorate the people who died for our freedom."

'Hard to adapt'

The UK welcomed many displaced people under the government's Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Now closed, it allowed Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members to apply for permission to come to the country if they had an approved sponsor.

Among those in Carlisle on Sunday to have used it was Olga Leintovea, who has two teenage sons.

"It was very hard for them to adapt," she said. "It took a while, but now we are more or less settled.

"I work in a school, they go to school, so at least we are here safe."

Ms Leintovea said recent remarks by US President Donald Trump around peace talks had proved worrying.

Mr Trump last week called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a "dictator", blamed Ukraine for starting the war and said he believed Russia had "the cards" in any peace talks because it has "taken a lot of territory".

"It's heart-breaking to hear that after all the support we've had from the Western world," Ms Leintovea said.

"Of course it's frustrating for us. That's why we need to be united - all Ukrainains, all Europeans - to stand for freedom and for peace."