Friday 24 February 2023 marked exactly one year since Russia invaded Ukraine in an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian war that has been ongoing since 2014.

Residents from in and around Stamford came together to mark the event in a service hosted by Stamford Churches and Stamford Diversity Group CIC.

Image credit: Stamford Diversity CIC.

The 'One Year On' service held at 6:30pm on Friday marked one year since Russia embarked upon a 'special military operation' in Ukraine, which has killed thousands and displaced millions.

This unrest has driven millions of Ukrainian people from their homes to seek refuge across Europe, with many Ukrainian families being housed in the UK.

Image credit: Stamford Diversity CIC.

In a service on Friday, the Stamford community marked their struggles, as well as remembering those who have been left behind, injured, and killed in the conflict. 

Rev Peter Stevenson opened and closed proceedings, as well as leading a 2 minute silence and prayers. 

Stamford Poet Laureate, Scott Coe, and the inaugural Youth Laureate, Daniel Paice, were also in attendance, alongside the local Ukrainian community. 

Members of the Ukrainian and Stamford communities lit a candle for those left behind. 

Daniel Paice. Stamford's Youth Poet Laureate. Image credit: Kingsley Singleton.

Yvette Diaz-Munoz, Chair of Stamford Diversity Group, said: "My heart goes out to the local Ukrainian community. Town and District Cllr Amanda Wheeler and myself - with support from the poet laureates Scott Coe and Daniel Paice and the wider community, including Stamford Town Council and our wonderful volunteers in particular British Ukrainian musician and music teacher, Mike Tymoczko, who leads the Ukrainian choir - have supported them from day one and will continue to do so. Thanks too to Head of Churches together, Rev Stevenson, for opening and closing the event and for the prayers for peace. It was so poignant when he invited those present to lay a flower or candle in remembrance of those left behind, missing or deceased.' 

Stamford Poet Laureate, Scott Coe. Image credit: Larry Wilkes.

Mila Bunina and Svitlana Kolesnikova both spoke at the event (Mila in Ukrainian and then Svitlana translated into English) and said: "One year... it's been a year since our lives were divided into "before" and "after". It's been a year since the neighboring understate commits atrocities on our native land... February 24th is one year long.

"A year... a year has already passed since our life was divided into 'before' and 'after'. It's been a year since a neighboring state has been committing atrocities on our native land... February 24 is one year long."

Svitlana Kolesnikova is pictured here with her sons, Elon and Eric. Image credit: Alan Walters.

Read the poem read by Scott Coe, Stamford Poet Laureate, below in both English and Ukrainian: