Candlelit vigil for Ukraine’s heroes at Oceanfront
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – Saturday, February 24 marks two years since Russia invaded Ukraine.
The Tidewater Ukrainian Cultural Association organized the 2 Years of War – Candlelit Vigil. It will take place Friday, Feb. 23 at the King Neptune Statue on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk.
Anna Makhorkina, Ph.D. spoke to Digital Host Sarah Goode in a Digital Desk livestream about the impact on the local Ukrainian-American community and upcoming events. Watch the conversation in the video player on this page.
Makhorkina’s parents live in Ukraine. She remembers the moment two years ago trying to reach them on the phone.
“I remember I first started calling them around 11 p.m. February 23 here and February 24 there,” Makhorkina said. “I couldn’t reach them for many, many hours. That was terrifying”.
Days before the Russian invasion, the Tidewater Ukrainian Cultural Association was in the midst of planning a rally for Ukraine.
“Leading up to the full-scale invasion on February 24, our Ukrainian-American community here in Hampton Roads has already started to plan events, awareness and educational events to bring attention to what was happening on the Russia-Ukraine border,” Makhorkina said.
Days later, with a different meaning, the rally took place in Norfolk. Makhorkina felt the community support.
“That rally, we had so many people showing up on Friday,” Makhorkina said.
Where Makhorkina’s parents live in western Ukraine, she once felt was safe during the conflict, but that has changed.
“And, of course, overtime, over the two years, nowhere is safe,” Makhorkina said.
The Association has other events scheduled to support the community locally. Take a look at their Facebook page to find out more.
WAVY’s Sarah Goode will have updates following the livestream conversation.
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