Surrey Charity: "Ukrainian Independence Day is no longer a day of celebration."
Today (24 August) marks the 4th Ukrainian Independence Day since the Russian invasion
A Surrey based charity has told us about what Ukrainians are thinking ahead of Ukrainian Independence day.
Today is the 4th Ukrainian independence day since the beginning of the war.
From 15:00 today, a rally will begin at Downing Street and process to the St Volodymyr statue to lay flowers.
Nick Budd, who is a volunteer for the charity Surrey Stands With Ukraine spoke to volunteers ahead of today, and told us that the mood of the holiday has changed significantly over the last few years.
"The common theme was that the Independence Day is no longer a day of celebration and no longer almost a public holiday.
Now Independence Day to them has become a time of reflection of the sacrifice that their people have made and still do make on an on a daily basis, both civilians and soldiers.
Before 2022, it was a it was a day of celebration, a national holiday. Now it's it's it's everything to do with sacrifice, resilience and determination to continue to be and remain an independent nation."
When reaching out to Ukrainians, both here in the UK, and in Ukraine, Nick told us that there was a common theme.
I think the the general feedback was one of sadness of what their country is enduring and what their people, their family and friends endure.
That was the overwhelming theme of the messages that I receive, and that's tough to hear."
Nick spoke about how important it was for Ukrainians, that there is solidarity and the ongoing war on the other side of the continent isn't forgotten about.
"The importance for them is the solidarity that we show to their country, where in many aspects of media the story has fallen away to an extent."