Guernsey Marks One Year Of War In Ukraine

People across the bailiwick are marking a year since Russia invaded Ukraine.

24 February 2022 saw the beginning of the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War Two.

Guernseyman Colin Wood lives in Odessa and was there on the day Russian troops invaded:

"I remember waking up the morning at around 5am. There was air raid sirens going off, I'd never heard them before so I was wondering what was going on.

I went onto my phone and saw that Russian troops where at the border and were heading towards Kharkiv and Kyiv.

Russia has the second biggest army in terms of size and power, so we had reason to believe Kyiv would fall quickly but what we didn't realise is just how good the Ukrainian army was."

He chose to stay in Ukraine with his wife - a  decision he told us he doesn't regret.

"I realised that Odessa isn't just my home, but where I feel most comfortable.

I walk the streets and speak to people in Ukrainian and Russian and they always talk back saying 'Good morning. How are you Englishman?'"

Colin Wood and his wife Olga live in the city of Odessa

Over the last 12 months, the Guernsey community has hosted fundraisers for the war-torn country and the people who had fled their home land.

The government pledged hundreds of thousands of pounds in aid, and hit the Kremlin with sanctions.

Let's look how the island has responded to war in Europe.

Before the war:

On the 22 February, two days before war broke out, Guernsey joined the UK in freezing the assets of three Russian banks and three oligarchs. It was in response to Putin's troops making their way into two sepratist areas of Ukraine.

In the early days:

The day after Kremlin soldiers forced their way over the border, the then Deputy Chief Minister, Heidi Soulsby, said that the island would follow the UK in sanctions against Russia.

"[Guernsey is] aligned with the UK in standing with Ukraine as this harrowing situation unfolds. Our thoughts go out to all those impacted, including Guernsey residents with friends and family in the country."

Telecoms providers across the Channel Islands began waiving charges for calls and texts to Ukraine, saying that they 'understand the importance of keeping in touch with loved ones'.

We’ve all been seeing the events unfold in Ukraine & recognise their devastating impact. We understand the importance of being able to connect with family & friends, especially at this time, so we’ve made mobile & landline calls & texts to and from Ukraine free. pic.twitter.com/pdUfrbjDAt

— Sure Guernsey (@SureGuernsey) February 28, 2022

The States of Guernsey pledged the single biggest donation of public money in recent history, sending half a million pounds to Ukraine via the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Leaders said it reflected the strength of feeling and solidarity in Guernsey for Ukraine and its people and the unjust war being waged by Russia in their country.

Bailiff Richard McMahon then opened his Disaster Relief Fund for Ukraine on 1 March. He urged everyone to donate anything they could, however small.

"The Bailiff’s Fund serves to facilitate the making of donations in this Island, offering the means by which to record the continuing generosity of the people of Guernsey.

There are other ways in which people can donate directly to those organisations offering aid to Ukraine, but I feel it appropriate to pool donations of those who prefer to use this Fund so that they can be passed to the DEC to assist those people in, or who have fled from, Ukraine in their hour of need."

Following a plea from Kyiv's emergency services, Guernsey's Fire and Rescue Service donated their old protective kits to their colleagues in the Ukrainian capital.

"We were able to find 31 fire tunics, 18 pairs of leggings and 20 pairs of fire-proof boots, which are now all boxed and with the help of Guernsey Post will be winging their way to Poland and then on to Kyiv in the Ukraine."

Guernsey Post waived the delivery charges for the donation.

Later on:

Towards the end of May, the Home Affairs Committee agreed to introduce a similar refugee system to the UK's 'Homes for Ukraine' scheme.

Some 300 islanders had offered up rooms in their homes to people fleeing the war, with hosts receiving up to £350 per month to help with the costs.

After months of sanctions by Guernsey's government, Russia listed the island as an 'unfriendly state'.

External Affairs Minister, Jonathan Le Tocq, said it was clear the sanctions were 'beginning to bite'.

Clearly little Guernsey’s sanctions are beginning to bite… https://t.co/VjpBVRfRC4

— Jonathan Le Tocq 🇬🇬 (@letocq) July 24, 2022

Russia's attacks on cities and towns in Ukraine had left tens of thousands of undetonated explosives scattered across the country.

Guernseyman, Ben Remfrey and his charity Friends of Ukraine Explosive Ordnance Disposal (FOU EOD) began training Ukrainian's in bomb disposal.

In January he told Island FM about the ongoing work.

More than 250,000 explosives have been destroyed since the war began, but there is still millions of active ammunition strewn across Ukraine.

Now

Islanders continue to show their support and solidarity to the people of Ukraine, with donations to the Bailiff's Disaster Appeal exceeding £480,000. 

Bailiff Richard McMahon says, with no end in sight and Russian air strikes indiscriminately hitting vital services in major towns and cities, millions of people continue to need our help to alleviate their suffering.

We have 24 Ukrainians currently who have been issued with visas allowing them to seek refuge in the Bailiwick through the family and sponsorship schemes, with four more awaiting visas and would like to thank our sponsors for the support given.

— States of Guernsey (@Govgg) February 24, 2023

Today, the Bailiwick will join with Jersey and the UK in holding a minutes silence at 11am to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

There will also be a candlelit vigil held at the Town Church at 7pm to mark the anniversary.

Anyone wishing to make a donation through the Bailiff’s Disaster Relief Fund can do so as follows:
• By bank transfer:
Bank: NatWest Bank, Guernsey
Sort Code 60-09-20
Account Number 74070487

• In person at the bank counter:
Any branch of NatWest in the Bailiwick for the account of Bailiff’s Disaster Relief Fund Ukraine Appeal, number 74070487

• By post:
Cheques may be made payable to Bailiff’s Disaster Relief Fund Ukraine Appeal and sent to The Bailiff’s Chambers, Royal Court House, St. Peter Port, GY1 2NZ

Donations can also be made directly through the Red Cross, UNICEF and the Disasters Emergency Committee websites.