The Ukraine War Began One Year Ago Today: We Take A Look Back
Senator Bumenthal, Congressman Himes and town officials address a crowd attending Westport’s rally in support of Ukraine in 2022. Photos below.
On February 24, 2022 Russia launched an unprovoked attack on the nation of Ukraine.
Much of the world expected Ukraine would be defeated in a matter of days.
A year later nothing could be further from the truth.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
In Westport and surrounding towns hundreds showed up at rallies in Fairfield county to support the people of Ukraine. Civic leaders, government officials including Senator Blumenthal and Congressman Jim Himes and members of the clergy spoke at those events and encouraged support for the people of Ukraine. Here are some photos of coverage by WestportLocalPress of those events. The pain, fear and worry for their loved ones and homeland, are clearly shown in the faces of those who came to each rally.
Westport has lead a strong fundraising effort including the establishment of a sister city relationship with Lyman, Ukraine. It took less than three weeks to exceed the initial goal of $250,000 to help our sister city deal with the devastation and suffering inflicted upon them by the Russian invaders.
A Candlelight Vigil was held in Weston the first week of the war.
Als' Angels of Westport sponsored a major fundraising event in Fairfield. Yunist Dance schools, which teach traditional Ukrainian dance held a large fundraiser at the Palace in Stamford where their students and instructors performed. Rallies were held in Southport, Darien, Stamford and other towns with a candlelight vigil Weston held shortly after the war began.
A huge rally was held at the 100 year old Ukrainian American Club in 2022 in Southport.
A year later support is still strong, however a poll this month The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that a year later there is in fact a softening of support in the U.S. The AP reported "Forty-eight percent say they favor the U.S. providing weapons to Ukraine, with 29% opposed and 22% saying they’re neither in favor nor opposed. In May 2022, less than three months into the war, 60% of U.S. adults said they were in favor of sending Ukraine weapons". Support worldwide is strong still, with rallies at major European cities including London at Trafalger Square London and in front of the Russian embassy where protestors painted the street with a giant Ukrainian flag. In Parish the Eiffel tower joined the Empire State Building which was lit up with the familiar blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag.
Al’s Angels of Westport heald a fundraiser in Fairfield in 2022 raising thousands to aid Ukraine.
Photos and story by J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
As the war drags on, the brutality and barbarism of the Russians has been demonstrated clearly with hundreds of verified reports of torture, rapes and murders of innocent civilians. Mass graves have been uncovered and millions of Ukrainians have been forced to leave their country or stay and suffer in the cold and dark as Russia targets the Ukrainian electric grid and destroys the homes of hundreds of thousands. Schools, hospitals and high rise apartment buildings lie in ruins.
The war continues to affect other countries as well with poor countries such as those in Africa struggling with shortages of food due to Russian seizure and reduction in shipping of Ukrainian wheat. The Wilson Center reports, "According to Ukraine’s ministry for agriculture, due to the Russian war on that country, approximately 22 million tons of grain are stranded in Ukraine waiting export. The broad implications are clear. As the UN Food and Agriculture Organization notes, Ukraine supplies up to 16% of the world’s corn exports and more than 40% of the world’s sunflower oil. A recent BBC report noted that Egypt and Bangladesh each get about one-quarter of their wheat from Ukraine. Moldova, already suffering from Russian occupation and the war’s fallout, gets over 90% of its wheat from Ukraine."
Some members of Congress have raised objections to U.S. funding in the tens of billions of dollars however President Biden's recent unannounced visit to Kyev, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and his meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda has shown that the U.S. stands strong with it's NATO allies and the European Union and will continue to have Ukraine's back. That support has resulted in tens of thousand of Russians killed and wounded with some estimates as high as two hundred thousand and as many as one-half of Russia's battle tanks destroyed or seized by the Ukraine army.
A 2022 rally at Darien Town Hall where the Giant Ukrainian flag was proudly featured.
A Russian paramilitary organization, the Wagner group has an estimated 50,000 mercenaries including criminals from Russian prisons currently fighting in Ukraine. In Russia, it has been estimated that one million Russians of military age have fled the country rather than face conscription.
We will have to see what actions the new Republican majority will take and how that will effect the status of a war which was supposed to last only days, but due to the courage and strength of the Ukrainian military and her people continues with no end in sight.
One thing seems clear; for now the people of Westport will continue to provide aid and support to a nation which has endured terrible pain and suffering and death day in and day out. Westport continues to stand with Ukraine.
Slava Ukrani! Heroyam Slava! Glory To Ukraine! Glory To Heroes!
The Yunist Dance Schools of NY and CT brought together students and instructors at the Palace Theatre in Stamford in 2022 showcasing the beautiful traditional dances of Ukraine.
Photos and story by J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Morning Weather Report
Today
Mostly sunny, with a temperature rising to near 40 by 10am, then falling to around 34 during the remainder of the day. Wind chill values between 25 and 30. Breezy, with a west wind 16 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 17. Wind chill values between 10 and 15. Northwest wind 8 to 15 mph.
Tomorrow
A 30 percent chance of snow showers after 1pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 32. Wind chill values between 10 and 20. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon.
Tomorrow Night
A 20 percent chance of snow showers before 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. South wind around 7 mph becoming southwest after midnight.
Governor, Lt. Governor Speak on First Anniversary of Ukraine Invasion
From the Governor’s OfficeGovernor Ned Lamont and Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz released the following statements regarding the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine:
Governor Lamont said, “This last year has been abhorrent for the people of Ukraine, and it is time for Russia to end this unjustified, unprovoked attack. The murder of innocent, unarmed civilians is disgusting and is a threat to peace across the world. The people of Connecticut continue to stand in solidarity with Ukrainians and pray for their safety as they endure this assault on their freedom. I applaud President Biden for leading the free world in sanctioning and punishing Russia for their aggression against a sovereign, democratic, and peaceful nation.
“Over this last year, the people of Connecticut have helped more than 700 Ukrainians resettle in our state, providing them with sanctuary and safe shelter while this brutal attack on their homeland continues. I welcome these evacuees with open arms, and I applaud the many organizations and people of Connecticut who have generously opened their homes and their hearts to those seeking refuge. Our state government will continue working with our federal, local, and nonprofit partners to ensure that all the necessary resources are available for those who have made the long trip from Ukraine to Connecticut. They are our allies.”
Lt. Governor Bysiewicz said, “This past year, the Ukrainian people have been faced with unthinkable and unrelinquishing tragedy. They have been displaced from their homes, lost loved ones, and seen their homeland crumble before their eyes. Despite their hardships, they have shown the world their strength, courage, and resolve. As a Polish American, I know well how Russian despots have tried to deprive the Polish people of their hard-fought freedom and democracy. I have been proud to be part of the Polish community in Connecticut that has supported humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. I join Governor Lamont and President Biden in staunchly and proudly standing with Ukraine.”
Staples Wreckers Basketball Enters The FCIAC Tourney With Big Win Over Darien
Wednesday night, Staples Boys Basketball concluded their regular season by beating Darien High School on the Wreckers' home court by a score of 55-39. In a very balanced team effort, the Wreckers were led by freshman guard Sam Clachko, who registered 12 points, 3 assists and 1 steal on the night. Clachko, who wears number 24, consistently made the right play offensively and was a pest on the defensive side of the ball. Senior co-captain Cody Sale also proved difficult for the Darien defenders, scoring 10 points and grabbing 2 rebounds.Staples also got big contributions from senior point guard Charlie Honig (9 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists) as well as senior captain Chris Zajac (8 points, 6 rebounds). Senior Forward Ethan Cukier also chipped in with 6 rebounds, 5 points, 1 steal and 1 assist.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The Staples Wreckers took an early lead in this game and never looked back, going up 14-8 at the end of the first quarter. At the end of the second quarter, just before half-time senior captain and point guard Charlie Honig secured an offensive rebound and scored a layup as the buzzer sounded to give the Wreckers a 31-19 lead and the momentum going into the break in action. The Darien Blue Wave played the Wreckers close to even in the third quarter, capitalizing on offensive rebounds as well as free throws. The score was 42-31 at the end of the third quarter, but then the Wreckers pulled away in the fourth quarter, winning the game 55-39.
This FCIAC regular season finale was big for the Wreckers as it clinched the 4 seed in the FCIAC tournament. The Wreckers finish the regular season with a record of 15-5 and will play fifth-seeded Wilton this Saturday, February 25 at 5:00 PM at Fairfield Warde High School. This should be a great rematch, as Wilton beat Staples 69-68 in overtime back on January 31. Get your popcorn ready.
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
