Around 5,000 people gathered in Brussels, Belgium, one year and one day after Russia's invasion of Ukraine to protest against the war and show solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

The demonstration was part of a global week of action against the invasions, and was organised by Promote Ukraine, the Ukrainian Women's Union in Belgium and the Belgian committee of the European Solidarity Network with Ukraine (RESU). The march saw people from grassroots organisations and those actively involved in solidarity with Ukraine come together to call for peace in Ukraine, the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops, and an unconditional halt to the bombing of Ukraine.

Marta Barandiy, chair of Promote Ukraine, said that the invasion has already cost the lives of tens of thousands of Ukrainian citizens, and that every day the Ukrainian people face brutality and violence. She added that millions of citizens have been forced to flee abroad and millions have been displaced, with entire towns and villages left in ruins by Russian bombing and airstrikes. She also expressed concern over growing global apathy towards the war in much of North America and Europe, stressing the importance of maintaining public support for Ukraine.

The action was supported by 200 active citizens and organisations, and saw protesters walk from Avenue Albert II to Parc du Cinquantenaire. Many carried large Ukrainian flags and banners, while others wore traditional Ukrainian costumes and suits, and several women and young girls wore distinctive flower wreaths in their hair. Some carried boards with messages such as "Putin, burn in hell" and "stop Putin, stop the war".

Iryna, originally from Vinnytsia in central Ukraine, attended the march to show support for the country and thank Belgium for taking her and her young children in. "The most important thing is that Ukraine wins. What we want most is to return home, to a peaceful country under a peaceful sky and to live with our children, and to live our lives," she said.

At the end of the march, activists joined in the European quarter to listen to speeches from Ukrainian community leaders and sing the national anthem of Ukraine. The demonstration was a powerful statement of solidarity with Ukraine and a call for an end to the violence and suffering caused by the war. Photo by Shamil Khakirov from Ukraine, Wikimedia commons.