Rallies across Australia as world marks ‘1000 days of pain and tragedy’ in Ukraine

Pro-Ukraine rallies are taking place across Australia as the world marks 1000 days since Russia’s full scale invasion.

Rallies are taking place across Australia as the world marks 1000 days since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The grim milestone on Tuesday fell a day after Ukrainian authorities reported at least 21 people were killed, including a child, in a wave of deadly Russian strikes targeting energy infrastructure.

Tens of thousands of Ukrainians have been killed and injured in the fighting, and some 6.1 million have found safe haven outside of their homeland, including in Australia.

Marking the day, Penny Wong praised Ukrainians for their “courage and determination”.

At least 10 people were killed by Russian strikes on the Ukrainian port city of Odesa on Monday. (Photo by Handout / UKRAINIAN EMERGENCY SERVICE / AFP)

The strikes were targeting energy infrastructure as the region slips into winter. (Photo by Oleksandr GIMANOV / AFP)

“Today marks 1000 days since Russia began its brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine – a breach of the UN Charter by a UN Security Council member,” the Foreign Minister posted on social media.

“1000 days of pain and tragedy. 1000 days of courage and determination by Ukrainians as they fight for freedom.

“Slava Ukraini.”

Ukrainian ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko thanked Senator Wong, saying his country was “grateful for your unwavering support”.

We are grateful for your unwavering support @SenatorWong@andrii_sybiha 🇦🇺 🇺🇦 https://t.co/1KwQ5699IG

— Vasyl Myroshnychenko (@AmbVasyl) November 19, 2024

In Canberra, protesters waving the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine gathered outside the Russian embassy.

Demonstrations were also set to take place in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

Australia has given Ukraine around $1.5bn worth of aid to help it push Russia’s invading forces out of its territory.

Canberra’s bipartisan support for Kyiv has earned Australia a spot on Vladimir Putin’s list of unfriendly countries.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko says his country is ‘grateful’ for Australia’s ‘unwavering support’. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Moscow’s war against its smaller neighbour has had far-reaching consequences.

The conflict has pushed up the fuel and energy prices and restricted Ukrainian grain from reaching countries that critically need it.

It has also prompted nuclear fears, with multiple atomic power plants in the firing line and the Russian president casually floating the use of nuclear weapons.

With Russia reportedly using North Korean troops to bolster its depleting force numbers, analysts have warned the conflict could expand.

Originally published as Rallies across Australia as world marks ‘1000 days of pain and tragedy’ in Ukraine