On Thursday, a vigil was held in Cambridge to mark two weeks since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Attendees lit candles and listened to Ukrainian songs, as they remembered all those who have been killed in the assault.
One speaker explained the significance of the candles: “Light will win over darkness, truth will win over lies, and peace will win over war.”
Every day since the war started, people have gathered in Cambridge city centre for rallies, vigils and marches, organised by the Cambridge University Ukrainian Society. Society members have told powerful, heart wrenching stories of their family and friends in Ukraine: one woman’s 70 year old mother has been sheltering in a bomb shelter; another man’s close friend, a young woman, was killed by Russian rockets.
“As a historian, I can see why NATO is doing what it is doing. But as a citizen of Ukraine, I can’t see why.”
Stepan Blinder is a Ukrainian PhD student at Fitzwilliam College, studying Polish and Lithuanian history. Every day, Stepan leads a rendition of the Ukrainian national anthem, which marks the closing of the rally or vigil.
Prior to coming to study in Cambridge, he lived in Kyiv with his family, who are still there now. A friend lives in a small town north of Kyiv, currently encircled by Russian troops. “I am making calls every day, trying everything to get safe routes to get him out,” Stepan says. “I will never forget this.”
As a historian, Stepan is acutely aware of the far-reaching geopolitical consequences of Putin’s invasion. “This direct aggression is a danger, not only to Ukraine, but to global security”, he says. Stepan explains that this is why so many countries are supporting Ukraine. “I’m not sure if Putin will stop at Ukraine”, he says. “This is why other countries close to Russia are supporting Ukraine, this is why all European countries are supporting Ukraine. Japan too is supporting Ukraine, because they have a dispute with Russia over the Kuril Islands.”
Whilst Stepan is grateful for the international support Ukraine has received, he is disappointed that the country’s allies have not gone further. “We can do this if we work together”, he says. “Russia is one country. The rest of the world is 200 countries. If we work together, we can easily defeat Russia and stop the war.”
Stepan says he is particularly disappointed by NATO’s response, and their failure to impose a no-fly zone. “As a historian, I can see why NATO is doing what it is doing. But as a citizen of Ukraine, I can’t see why.”
More events coming up
Danny Mykhaylyuk, a Chinese Studies student at St Catharine’s College, thanked attendees at the vigil. “It’s been fourteen days now, and this war is not stopping, the shelling is not stopping”, he said, in a powerful speech.
Danny has organised an evening of music and dancing on Friday at Cambridge’s Thrive Cafe. The event will raise funds for a charity run by Danny’s mother, which is helping to evacuate Ukrainians to Poland.
You can follow Cambridge University Ukrainian Society on Facebook or Twitter for information on all of their events, how to donate, and daily news from Ukraine.
You can find ways to support Ukrainians here.
