The Ukrainian soldiers invited to join London’s VE Day parade just came on and I can’t explain how moving it is. Once the crowd sees them they’re going to go nuts.

One the day we remember the surrender of Germany and the end of WW2, it is only right that the fight didn’t stop 80 years ago. The heroes still fighting for freedom should be honoured and I’m so happy they were able to take their rightful place in the procession.

Picture above is from the BBC’s coverage of the nighttime rehearsals.

by accidentalarchers

18 comments

  1. More details [here](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c20xzwp0npkt?post=asset%3A64b114d3-a058-488c-a5b9-8cf64a1b4001#post).

    ETA – the soldiers just appeared on screen. The official statement from our Ministry of Defence is that the forces are joining together for the procession in order to symbolise the global support for Ukraine’s “continued fight for freedom against Russia’s unprovoked, illegal invasion”.

    The announcer emphasised this even more. He explained that they have been specially invited as Britain does and always will support Ukraine. The ones who don’t just fight to win a war but to win peace. We stand with those who resist tyranny.

    Earlier we had an actor read out the speech [Churchill](https://winstonchurchill.org/resources/speeches/1941-1945-war-leader/to-v-e-crowds/) made 80 years ago and I thought this line was particularly relevant to today.

    *I say that in the long years to come not only will the people of this island but of the world, wherever the bird of freedom chirps in human hearts, look back to what we’ve done and they will say “do not despair, do not yield to violence and tyranny, march straightforward and die if need be-unconquered.*

    Do not despair, do not yield, Ukraine. We are with you.

    ETA2 – they just marched past the public and there was an immediate reaction. Usually the crowd just stands and watches but they had applause, shouts and even a few whistles. Don’t forget, we are British, we prefer a handshake over a public display 🙂

    Now they’re marching past the King, and the announcers are saying again that these gentlemen represent the ongoing fight against tyranny. Shout out to the Zelenskyys and something I didn’t quite hear about how important it was to our King and Queen that the soldiers were able to march today.

  3. It is good this happened, I hope more Eastern European people’s that fought against Germany can be represented during these parades, many didn’t even have their own independent nations or lost their homeland and still fought.

  6. Looks like a small detachment if that’s the whole lot, but I suppose they have other priorities. I hope they get a massive cheer.

  10. The Bravest most Beautiful Men just happen to be Ukrainian 🇺🇦

  11. Thank you to all of the brave Ukrainian warriors who fight to protect their country, and as a byproduct, they are defending Europe also.

    The West needs to up the support, and fast. Thank you, Ukraine. 🇺🇦🦾

  12. When the war ends in Ukraine’s favour, I just hope she remembers that she was not alone in this struggle to bring down the Kremlin.

    Ukraine, while suffering heavy casualties and having to rebuild, had allies coming with them into the war. Aid, weapons, drones, you name it, they came at the expense of the UK, France, and the West. Trump might be off his rocker, but USA had a big role to play to. Do not discount that.

    Of course, first and foremost, the country must be rebuilt from the ground up. They need to restore their economy, and then I hope relations with the EU will be better than ever.

  13. I watched them go past on the TV they got a standing ovation everywhere they went

    Slava ukraini 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇦🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇦

  14. I’m watching it right now! I love that Ukraine 🇺🇦 is represented

  17. We’re lucky to have them March.

    If you were expecting more, every town/village/city had a parade this morning so I expect representation was present over a wide area of the UK.

    ..and they are welcome to work and rest on this island forever. They are the best of us.

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