The worst is not over for Ukraine, three years on from Russian invasion
To mark the third anniversary of Russia's invasion and continued attacks, Ukrainians and supporters rallied in cities all over Europe including on O'Connell St in Dublin, above. Picture: Padraig O'Reilly
On the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has left hundreds of thousands dead and displaced millions across the world, humanitarian organisations have warned that the worst is not over for the beleaguered nation, even as diplomatic efforts ramp up.
With the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) estimating officially that around 42,000 Ukrainian civilians killed in the past three years but conceding that number is likely far higher, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was willing to give up his position if it meant peace in his country.
Since Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered the first attack in the current invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, around 95,000 of his own country’s forces have died in the fighting.
On the eve of the third anniversary, Ukrainian citizens were given a timely reminder that they are still in the throes of war with Russia launching 267 strike drones overnight on Saturday, the most in a single day in the conflict.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is among world leaders invited to an online summit with Mr Zelenskyy today to discuss the next moves, as the US moves forward on its own peace brokerage solution with Russia, ostensibly freezing out Kyiv and the EU.
Mr Zelenskyy confirmed he would give up his post in exchange for peace and securing a place in Nato, which has long been a Russian red line issue.
At a forum in Kyiv marking the three-year anniversary of the invasion, Mr Zelenskyy said: “If to achieve peace, you really need me to give up my post, I’m ready. I can trade it for Nato.”
Ahead of today’s online meeting of world leaders, the Taoiseach said he “will be reiterating to president Zelenskyy Ireland’s continued steadfast support for Ukraine and its people”.
“I will also underline our continued strong support for Ukraine’s accession to the EU and argue that an important way to help guarantee Ukraine’s future security is to accelerate the process of joining the EU,” said Mr Martin.
“I will make clear that Ireland stands ready to do all we can to support a just and lasting peace, which is not only crucial for Ukraine but also for the security of Europe.”
Irish humaniatarian Adi Roche of Chernobyl Children International warned that nuclear fallout is still a huge worry of the conflict.
Last week’s Russian strikes on the Chernobyl nuclear power plant have further escalated the realms of war, she said, heightening the risk of another nuclear catastrophe.
The occupation and shelling of nuclear facilities, including Chernobyl and Zaporizhzhia, set a dangerous precedent in modern war, turning nuclear power plants into potential weapons of mass destruction, and the use of nuclear sites as battlegrounds must be unequivocally condemned under international law to ensure that the next Chernobyl is not Chernobyl itself, she said.
“My worst nightmare in this conflict is that the tragedy of of a second Chernobyl would be unleashed on the world,” said Ms Roche.
“I fear that this area, a sacred area, an area of utter vulnerability and danger, a special area of human tragedy, could once again have deadly radioactive contamination released which would spread everywhere, like an uncontrollable monster.”
Thousands gathered in many cities across Europe to protest against Russia’s invasion, including O’Connell St in Dublin. Hundreds of Ukrainians marched through Dublin City and chanted “Putin is dictator”, “Russia is the aggressor” and “thank you Ireland”.
In Cork, Lord Mayor Dan Boyle led the Ukrainian community through the streets at the Europe on Fire protest march.
At the Dublin event, Maria Myrhorodska from the Donetsk region said: “It’s very important to keep talking about the war and keep talking about Ukraine, because every day we are not getting stronger.”
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