100 days of war...

3 June 2022 will go down in history as the 100th day of resistance by the people and army of Ukraine against an enemy that on 24 February launched open war to destroy Ukrainian statehood and to ruin everything the Ukrainian people have built – towns and villages and, above all, its people.

This sorrowful date was marked by a joint prayer service at the place that symbolises the spirit and unity of Ukrainians in Estonia – the sacred oak and memorial stone in honour of Taras Shevchenko. Prayers for the souls of the fallen soldiers were read by Father Roman, rector of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Estonia, and Father Ioan, rector of the Tallinn Ukrainian Parish. Those gathered were addressed by Father Roman, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Estonia Mariana Betsa, and the President of the Association of Ukrainian Organisations in Estonia Vladimir Palamar. The speeches were united by one main idea: we are representatives of the great and unbreakable people of Ukraine, who have bravely withstood 100 days of war and will stand to the end.

Every person, every Ukrainian today feels like a true patriot and tries to support their country wherever they are. We are infinitely grateful to and will remember our heroes who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of our country in the fight against the enemy, and we will do everything to bring victory as soon as possible.

Ukrainians in Estonia are sincerely grateful to the Estonian state and people for their incredible, all-round support in our fight against the enemy. The organiser of the memorial event, Mrs Inna Karaulshchykova, chief coordinator of the Ukraine Aid Centre at the Association of Ukrainian Organisations in Estonia, together with activists, did everything possible to let those who came take part: they tied the oak branches with blue-and-yellow ribbons, laid flowers at the stone and expressed words of support and gratitude to our volunteers who over the past 100 days have done everything possible to support the Ukrainian army and ordinary people in difficult situations both in Ukraine and abroad as refugees.

Ukrainians in Estonia are infinitely grateful to the heads of the societies who now rally us around the important and urgent cause – the people’s fight for victory over the enemy – and who connect everyone in need with aid centres, as this is today the crucial mission of Ukrainian associations abroad.

Let’s stay in touch and work together for our homeland’s victory over its enemy! Glory to Ukraine!