It’s been a year since Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine began on 24 February 2022. Thousands of civilians were killed as a result of the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects, including shelling from heavy artillery, multiple launch rocket systems, missiles, cluster bombs and air strikes. The war crimes of Russian aggressors include rapes, tortures and murders of the residents. The symbols of these crimes are inter alia Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, where some of the victims were buried in mass graves. More than 7.5 million people have fled Ukraine and nearly 7 million Ukrainians are internally displaced.
Many towns and cities have been largely destroyed by fierce urban fighting. There was damage to housing, infrastructure, such as power lines and water systems, schools and hospitals. Efforts began to clear Russian mines, reportedly planted in parks, playgrounds and in front of homes.
From the very beginning, the UBC cities joined in helping both refugees who came to them and cities in Ukraine that have to rebuild destroyed infrastructure. The next edition of the Bulletin will feature the UBC cities involvement in support to Ukraine.