Under the flashing lights of Levi’s, Coca-Cola and Broadway advertisements in Times Square, a different message rose above the noise of Manhattan traffic: “Slava Ukraini” — Glory to Ukraine. Around 200 people, many draped in blue and yellow flags, gathered in the cold winter air with one shared hope — that this would be the last anniversary marked by war.
Feb. 24 marked four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. For members of New York’s Ukrainian diaspora, newly arrived refugees and supporters, the date is not just historical but also deeply personal.
“In America, we are louder than anywhere else,” Oleksandr Taran, president of the nonprofit organization Svitanok NYC, said. Svitanok, which aims to educate the public about Ukraine, organized the rally.
Taran said the goal was simple: to make sure Ukraine is not forgotten.
The protest was not only about remembrance but also about confronting the ongoing human cost of the war.
According to the UN News, at least 2,500 civilians were killed and more than 12,000 injured in 2025 in Ukraine — an increase of more than 30% compared to 2024, making it the deadliest year for civilians since the invasion began in 2022.
These numbers appeared on posters held high above the crowd.
The gathering took place just two days after a major snowstorm struck the U.S. east coast.
Nearly 32 inches of snow fell in some areas, temporarily bringing New York City to a standstill. Travel restrictions were imposed and schools were closed.
Despite the freezing temperatures and recent disruptions, protesters said staying home was not an option.
Olga Akchulpanova, who is originally from Kyiv but has lived in the U.S. for the past 14 years, attended the rally with her dog.
“This day is so important that we have to be here despite any challenges,” Akchulpanova told The Ticker. “That’s at least what we can do.” She added that the storm could not outweigh the meaning of the anniversary.
While New Yorkers were dealing with record snowfall, many Ukrainians were facing missile strikes, damaged infrastructure and power outages, making a few hours in the cold feel like a small sacrifice in solidarity.
While protests continue abroad, the fighting remains intense. According to recent estimates, battlefield deaths could reach 500,000 by the fifth year of war.
Estimates also show that Russia has lost as many as 325,000 troops, with more than 200,000 deaths verified by researchers. For many protesters, these numbers represent friends, relatives, classmates and neighbors.
Four years into the invasion, global attention has shifted repeatedly to other conflicts, elections and economic concerns.
Yet for many, Feb. 24 remains a day marked by remembrance of loss and resilience, as those gathered carried a quiet but persistent hope that this would be the final anniversary of war.
Protesters said they wished to return one day, not as demonstrators but as people celebrating peace.
They imagined standing in Times Square with smiles, calling relatives in Ukraine with good news and marking a future defined by independence, democracy and safety.
