Thousands rallied in cities across Europe to mark two years since Russia’s unprovoked invasion.

Several thousand people rallied in Prague on Saturday, 24 February, on the second anniversary of the full-scale Russian war against Ukraine.

Marchers processed through the Mala Strana quarter and across the Charles Bridge to Old Town Square, where notable Czech political figures, including President Petr Pavel, gave speeches to show their support for Ukraine.

In his opening speech, Pavel said the West must not waver in its backing for Ukraine to ensure that Vladimir Putin’s vision doesn’t prevail and ensure that Ukraine can develop without Russian interference. Pavel, a former general, also expressed pride that his country was one of the first to send military aid and support to Ukraine.

Other small events and concerts were held across the country too, including a concert for children and their parents in Prague’s Karlin district. People also gathered to show support for Ukraine in London, Berlin, Paris, and other European cities.

Anger and resentment towards Russia and Putin echoed throughout the rally. “Russia is a terrorist state” was chanted as much as “Slava Ukraini” (Glory to Ukraine).

Artem Mykhailov, an 18-year-old Ukrainian student at the rally, felt the full force of the Russian invasion.

“On the first day of invasion, I was with my family in a house in the countryside of Bucha region,” he said. “We somehow managed to escape but many people who tried to leave were wounded or killed.”

The bodies of more than 400 civilians were found in the town of Bucha, near Kyiv, after Russian forces withdrew in April 2022.

“My motivation was to see the amount of people who are still supporting Ukraine and  feel the energy that people still remember the war is going on,” Mykhailov said. “I wasn’t expecting this many people.”

Many Ukrainians also demonstrated gratitude to the Czech Republic for their support. Since the invasion began, only far more populous Germany and Poland have provided temporary protection to more Ukrainian refugees than the Czech Republic, where 590,000 people fleeing the war have been granted protection, with 381,000 recorded as still in the country as of 31 January.

Her hometown, Chernihiv, was most recently attacked by Russian missiles on 19 August, with the loss of seven lives, and Russian shelling on 27 February cut power to several nearby villages. Like many Ukrainians, Zhylina knows several people who lost their lives in the war and has friends serving on the front lines.

“It’s beautiful that every Ukrainian who came here and everyone who are not in Ukraine, and have the opportunity to walk on the streets under a peaceful sky have come together to ask other countries for support,” she said.

“Taurus” on many signs the marchers carried was a response to German lawmakers, who recently voted against the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.