Countries around the world are showing their support as Ukraine begins a second year ofdefending its land against Russian invaders.
From New York City to Sydney, Australia, iconic buildings and marquee attractions are alight in blue and yellow, the colors of theUkrainian flag.
On Thursday night, lights bathed the Empire State Building, which extended upwards of 1,454 feet to the tower’s spire.
“The Empire State Building shines in yellow and blue tonight, the colors of the Ukraine flag, in support of the Ukraine population,“the building’s official account tweeted, also sharing information on how to help the people of Ukraine.
Ait Adjedjou Karim/ABACA/Shutterstock
In Paris, the Eiffel Tower displayed blue lights on top with yellow on the base of the structure,according to France 24.
“Glory to Ukraine!” Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgotweeted in Ukrainian.
Official London Eye/Facebook
Meanwhile, across the English Channel, the London Eye was illuminated in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. On Friday morning, the attraction observed a moment of silence “to allow our teams and guests to pay tribute to the courage of the Ukrainians,” operators of the famous Ferris wheelsaid in a Facebook post.
In Brussels, at the European Parliament, the building was lit in blue and yellow.
“Parliament and the EU have stood with Ukraine ever since Russia launched its unjustified and illegal full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022,“the organization saidon Twitter.
Vasyl Myroshnychenko/Twitter
At Australia’s famed Sydney Opera House, Ukraine’s colors coated the building’s trademark shells.
Ukrainian ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenkoshared a photo of the tributeon Twitter.
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Other cities also acknowledged the somber anniversary.
In Berlin, an art installation in front of the Russian embassy featured a Russian T-72 tank that was destroyed during fighting in Ukraine as “a symbol of Russia’s downfall,“organizers said.
In the year sinceRussia’s invasion of Ukrainebegan in late February 2022, thousands of citizens have been killed and millions displaced.
Twelve months later, the invasion remains ongoing, with the United Nations Refugee Agency estimating that more than8 million refugeesare believed to have fled Ukraine since the start of the war.
source: people.com