It has been just over three years since Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation” and Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine, igniting a war that has been widely condemned as a grave violation of international laws and conventions. In the Russian government’s bid to supposedly protect Russian-speaking populations in the Ukrainian Donbas Region, billions of dollars had been spent and thousands of lives had been lost. As a result Ukrainians—both in Ukraine and across the world—have seen their lives upended, changed forever.
Last 24th of February, Ukrainian students and supporters gathered at Library Square at the University of Sussex to commemorate the invasion’s third year anniversary, honoring the lives lost and reflecting on the ongoing war. The Ukrainian Society erected an installation of toys accompanied with images of Ukrainian children who had become victims of war. The display served as “a tribute to the children whose laughter, songs, and dreams were stolen by Russia’s war against Ukraine. Each toy represented a young life that should have been filled with play and possibility, not cut short by violence.”
Since February 2022, Ukraine has been in a virtual fight for survival as its armed forces fully mobilized against the Russian threat. Major cities and hubs including the capital Kyiv had undergone relentless bombardment, while Kharkiv and Mariupol were besieged and occupied by Russian forces. Alleged assassination plots from Russian forces threatened Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“I need ammunition, not a ride,” Zelenskyy famously declared in 2022. The United States and Europe responded with military and humanitarian aid worth billions of dollars, with the then-Biden administration and the UK government supplying advanced weaponry and enforcing measures to weaken Russia’s military capabilities. Much of the international community also imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia, crippling its economy, devaluing the Russian ruble, and isolating the country from global trade.
“We wanted to remind everyone that this war is not over, that behind the headlines are real families shattered by unimaginable loss,” said the Ukrainian Society in a statement. Since the start of the war, the death toll exceeded 200,000 armed force casualties on both sides, according to both armies and international organizations. Civilian deaths, meanwhile, exceeded 20,000 Ukrainian deaths and upwards of 500 Russian deaths.
“Attention must not drift away—these children deserve to be remembered and Ukraine still needs your voice,” the Society urged in its statement, “Ukraine is more than a country at war; it is a nation of rich traditions, unbreakable spirit, and deep history. While we celebrate our heritage, we also refuse to let the world turn away from the suffering still unfolding.”
At the time of writing, Ukraine’s campaign is facing increasing uncertainty as the United States, previously its biggest backer of its defense, had suspended aid and other military initiatives as the Trump administration realigns its foreign policy. Members of the European Union and the United Kingdom meanwhile, have pledged larger contributions and support for Ukraine, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowing to stand by Ukraine “for as long as it may take.”
The Ukrainian Society called on the University of Sussex to take a stand, “As students of Sussex, you can stand with us by sharing this message, speaking up, and refusing to let indifference take hold. Talk about Ukraine, share news on social media, donate, stand with us. The Ukrainian Society at the University of Sussex is more than just a community— it is a voice for our people, our heritage, and our ongoing fight for freedom.”
“We invite students to stand with us— attend our cultural events, amplify our voices, and ensure that Ukraine’s fight for survival and freedom is never forgotten.”