The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Illinois Division, marked the end of the fourth year since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion and the twelfth anniversary of Russian aggression against Ukraine with a March of Remembrance.
February 24, 2022, was the most terrifying dawn for modern Ukraine and all of Europe, ruthlessly dividing life into "before" and "after." Around four in the morning, missiles struck airports, military units, and peaceful neighborhoods. A war began that affected each of us.
In downtown Chicago, on the main Michigan Avenue, the Ukrainian community gathered for the March of Remembrance to remember the fallen, support the living, and honor the courage of the people who have been resisting Russian aggression for twelve years and a full-scale war for four years. The calendar of pain and despair, as well as the birth of resistance, was left to us by 2022, while 2023 brought faith and hope, and 2024-25 became years of strategic endurance, technological superiority, and systematic exhaustion of the enemy. Ukraine is not only withstanding the blow but shaping the future of its victory, as emphasized in the speeches of community activists and friends of Ukraine. Fewer than in previous years, yet people came out and joined the solidarity action to remind us: the war continues.
At exactly five o'clock in the evening on Saturday, February 21, on the Chicago Riverwalk, in front of the historic Wrigley Building, Igor Dyachun, a member of the board of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, addressed the attendees with a welcoming speech. He thanked the community for their unity and unwavering support for Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of international solidarity in the fight for freedom and justice. Among the distinguished guests of the event was Illinois Senator Richard Durbin, representatives of the Consulate General of Ukraine in Chicago, diplomats from Romania, the Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, as well as leaders of the Iranian, Syrian, Polish, Jewish, and Baltic communities. Their presence demonstrated broad support for Ukraine from the international community and various ethnic communities.
Marta Sofia Fraser performed the national anthems of the United States and Ukraine. Young activist Zoryana Smozhanyk read slogans that were picked up by hundreds of attendees:
Protect Freedom — Stand with Ukraine! Protect Children — Stand with Ukraine! Stop War Crimes — Stand with Ukraine!
Then a moment of silence and the song "Plyve Kacha" performed by Nazar Karabinovych in memory of the fallen, those who did not return from the front, and those tortured in Bucha, Izyum, Mariupol. The President of the Illinois Division of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Dr. Maria Dmytriv-Kapeniak, spoke about the unity of the diaspora and responsibility to future generations. The representative of the Consulate General of Ukraine in Chicago, Yevhen Shendrykov, emphasized: America's support is critically important for victory. Senator Richard Durbin confirmed the unwavering support for Ukraine in the U.S. Congress. "Four years ago, Putin launched his brutal, criminal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which remains at the forefront of democracy and transatlantic security. Ukraine withstood the first wave of the invasion, repelled the attack on Kyiv, which the enemy planned to take in 3 days, and evoked surprise and respect worldwide," Durbin stated.
Professor of Criminology at Northwestern University Joel Levin spoke about documenting war crimes and international justice, while Pastor Greg Livingston called for the world's moral responsibility to Ukraine. Iranian community representative Mrs. Setare emphasized the shared experience of peoples who know what dictatorship is. Lilia Popovich, a board member of UCCA Illinois, reminded: the struggle continues not only on the front but also here in the hearts and daily actions of each person. After the official part, songs were performed by the chamber choir "Glorious" under the direction of Bohdana Chepil. The vocal studio "Elegy," Ksenia Levkovych, and the ensemble Smile, led by professional director Svitlana Polyak, moved the audience with their singing. "Zore moya" and the prophetic words of Shevchenko "Fight — you will overcome!" sounded like a testament. A prayer in the Holy Name Cathedral, led by bishops and priests of all denominations, was sincere and heard, touching and solemnly the children's choir of St. Nicholas School under the direction of Iryna Dychi performed the anthems of America and Ukraine.
For the Ukrainian diaspora, this war has become a catalyst for a deep rethinking of their own identity. It has forced many to feel a renewed connection with their homeland, responsibility for its future, and their role in the global Ukrainian space. This internal transformation should become defining for decades to come. That is why it is important for each of us to work on strengthening social cohesion, enhancing patriotism, and fostering pride in the country where we were born. We realize that the Russian aggressor does not abandon attempts to destroy or subjugate Ukraine. At the same time, Ukraine is forced to fight on all fronts - military, economic, informational, and diplomatic. On the international level, we often see only cautious, formal steps. That is why the voice of the diaspora holds special significance. According to various data, about 6 million people have gone abroad during the war. Being far from their native land, we can and must be the voice of UKRAINE.
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