ORLANDO, Fla. — It has been four years since Russia invaded Ukraine, and despite peace talks orchestrated by the U.S., the war continues to rage on, bringing devastation and death to both countries.
On Tuesday night, dozens of people — including some who escaped the war — gathered in downtown Orlando at Lake Eola Park for a candlelight vigil in the hopes of keeping the community’s attention on the fighting, and the lives that have been lost.
What You Need To Know
Feb. 24 marked four years since Russia invaded Ukraine
Nearly 2 million people have died from both Russia and Ukraine during the conflict
Close to 100 people gathered in downtown Orlando at Lake Eola Park to not just honor the lives lost and the damage to families, but to show resilience as well
People in attendance said they want the war to end, and will gather to mark the anniversary every year until the war is over
Four years after Russia invaded Ukraine, the pain that invasion has brought is still fresh for many in that crowd.
“The guys of my family are at war. My brother is at war,” said event organizer and Ukrainian citizen Yaryna Levytska. “He was wounded several times and went through several injuries and was captured by Russians and he is still there. He’s still fighting.”
Levytska said the goal of the event wasn’t just remembrance, but to also show resilience.
She said that while headlines about the war may have faded, many people continue to feel the devastation every day.
Those in attendance set up candles in unison, donned blue and yellow flags and gathered together in solidarity.
“I was just feeling very sad for the whole day,” said Ukrainian American Nina Orolovskaya. “And many people are just crying like me and I would like to be with Ukrainians for this, just because it’s horrible date for all of our nation.”
Orolovskaya said she has lived in the U.S. since 1999 but was in Ukraine when Russia invaded in 2022.
And while it breaks her heart not to be there now, she said she wants to do whatever she can to help support her homeland.
“I collect donations for clothes,” Orolovskaya said. “Because many people have a lot of clothes and don’t really need them, and so I collect those clothes and pack them.”
The vigil also served as a reminder of the humanitarian crisis that continues in Ukraine four years later.
Millions of people remain displaced, including more than 100,000 who are now in the United States on Temporary Protected Status.
And as the candles flickered, the message from the group was clear: they have not, and will not ever forget.
“We have to tell the world that we need support financially — but not only financially, but to help save people and to bring the war so people will remember this,” Levytska said.