Anti-War March to Commemorate Victims of War in Ukraine.

On Friday 3rd June 2022, the Russian war against Ukraine entered into its 100th day with no clear end in sight. According to Jon Henley from The Guardian, Moscow has seized about a fifth of Ukraine's territory but hasn't been successful in taking over any major cities. The Kremlin has vowed to continue their mass genocide of the Ukrainian nation "until all goals are achieved" with Russian troops pummelling the Donbas region. On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that "tens of thousands" of civilians have been killed in the conflict. However, speaking in a video featuring the same key ministers and advisors who appeared with him in a moral-boosting broadcast the day Russia invaded, President Zelenskyy declared that "victory shall be ours". He also mentioned that the Ukrainian troops did "what seemed impossible" and stopped the "second army of the world". Several world leaders such as EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised the "bravery" of Ukrainians as it "commands" our "respect and admiration". Moreover, according to Russian human rights lawyers and activists, some Russian troops have refused to return to fight in Ukraine due to their experiences on the front line. One particular Russian soldier who spent five weeks fighting in Ukraine earlier in the year told the BBC that he didn't want to return to "kill and be killed". He added that despite his initial thoughts on the Russian army being the "most super-duper in the world", him and his fellow servicemen were expected to operate without even the most basic equipment such as night vision devices. 

Despite the long distance between the two countries, New Zealand has stood with Ukraine in the nation's fight against Russian fascism. On Sunday 5th June 2022, the Ukrainian Association of New Zealand with support from the members of the Ukrainian Community in Auckland held a march in the largest city in the country in honour of all those innocent lives lost in the war. Gathering at Aotea Square, the group made their way through the major streets in the city centre to the Auckland War Memorial Museum. According to Radio New Zealand, there were more than one-thousand people present in voicing their support for Ukraine. 

Also, see my photos of the Stand with Ukraine Rally here.