On February 24, 2022, Ukrainians living in Bydgoszcz, together with many Poles, gathered in the Old Market Square to stand together during that difficult time. No one expected that the war would last another four years. Ukrainians may have believed that their compatriots would fight, but few anticipated such strong resistance. Exactly four years later, people once again gathered at the Old Market Square.

Today’s gathering was smaller, and many Ukrainians have, in a way, come to accept the war as part of everyday reality. Worse still, for now there are no signs that it is nearing an end. Every day, people continue to die on the front line.

Belarusians also took part in today’s demonstration, coming from a country that cooperates with Russia. However, the Belarusians staying in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian region openly protest against the regime in Minsk, and some of them were forced to leave their country precisely for political reasons.