Wales is ‘united’ in support for Ukraine following the second anniversary of Putin’s illegal and brutal invasion

Following the second anniversary of Russia’s illegal and brutal invasion of Ukraine, on Saturday 24 February, Tonia Antoniazzi MP for Gower said Wales is united in support of Ukraine and against Russian aggression.

Two years since the start of the invasion, Tonia Antoniazzi MP added it was important to take time to reflect on the sacrifices felt by Ukrainians in defence of their country and thanked the charities, local organisations and people in Gower and across the UK who have opened up their homes to Ukrainians and worked to support those displaced by the conflict.

Tonia made clear that “while there may be a change in UK government to Labour this year there will be no change in Britain’s resolve to stand with Ukraine, confront Russian aggression and pursue Putin for his war crimes.”

Labour Leader Keir Starmer visited Zelenskyy in in Kyiv last year and Starmer, Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey, and Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy met with Zelenskyy when he visited Parliament. Labour will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes to win. Since the war began, the UN has said that over 11,000 Ukrainian civilians have been verified as killed and a further 11,000 are missing, but cautions these figures are likely to be significantly higher.

As of the end of last year, the United States estimates that over 70,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed, between 100,000 and 120,000 wounded. The UK Government estimates that approximately 350,000 Russian military personnel have been killed or wounded since the start of the conflict.

7 The UNHCR estimates that there are nearly 3.7 million internally displaced people in Ukraine, as of January 2024. More than 6.3 million refugees from Ukraine have been recorded globally and approximately 14.6 million people need humanitarian assistance in 2024.

Tonia Antoniazzi MP for Gower, said: "The UK is united in support of Ukraine and against Russian aggression. Following the second anniversary of Putin’s illegal and brutal invasion of Ukraine, it is important to remember the sacrifices Ukrainians have been forced to make and to thank those in Gower and across the UK who have worked to support those displaced by the war.

​“On Britain’s military help to Ukraine, and on reinforcing NATO allies, the Government has had – and will continue to have – our fullest Labour support. “There may be a change in Government to Labour this year, but there will be no change in Britain’s resolve to stand with Ukraine, confront Russian aggression and pursue Putin for his war crimes.”