UK will mark Russia's 'deplorable invasion' of Ukraine with a minute's silence
The moment will signify an expression of solidarity with Ukraine a year after it was invaded by Russia. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the UK in early February to ask for more fighter jets.
Tuesday 14 February 2023 18:32, UK
The UK will observe a national moment of silence to mark the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine later this month.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the one-minute silence would take place on 24 February at 11am.
This will come just over two weeks after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's historic visit to the UK when he addressed parliamentarians in Westminster Hall.
Mr Sunak said in a statement: "As we approach the anniversary of Russia's barbaric and deplorable invasion of Ukraine, as a nation we pay tribute to the incredible bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people."
The prime minister will lead the nation in silence from Downing Street and is encouraging those across the UK to take part.
He added: "Russia's unjustifiable attack brought war and destruction to our continent once again, and it has forced millions from their homes and devastated families across Ukraine and Russia."
This expression of solidarity will mark a year since Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine, an ongoing conflict which has reportedly claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions of Ukrainians.
Speaking about the UK's response to the conflict, Mr Sunak said: "I am incredibly proud... throughout this past year, the UK public have shown their true generosity of spirit and their enduring belief in freedom."
Britain has been one of Ukraine's closest allies since the start of the war, providing £2.3bn of aid in 2022 and pledging to match or exceed that sum this year.
It also has given refuge to more than 100,000 Ukrainian citizens under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.
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Mr Zelenkskyy visited London on 8 February, and spoke to parliament, urging Britain and other allies to provide combat aircraft to help Ukrainian forces fight Russia's offensive.
He also met with King Charles at Buckingham Palace ahead of meeting some Ukrainian troops training in the UK, of which there are 10,000 in total.
Mr Sunak had said the president's visit was a "testament" to Ukraine's "courage, determination and fight" as well as the "unbreakable friendship" between the war-torn country and the UK.