NC's Ukrainian community marks 'somber' four years since Russia's full-scale invasion

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Ukrainian community in the Triangle is calling Tuesday a somber milestone as it marks four years of Russia's full-scale invasion, but it has been going on much longer than that.

For Olena Kozlova-Pates, watching the war in Ukraine drag on from her Wake Forest home isn't just heartbreaking, it's personal. She grew up in Ukraine and has lived in the United States for 33 years.

"Ukrainians have always been fighting for independence. Fighting for survival. Fighting for its place on earth," said Kozlova-Pates, with Ukrainians in the Carolinas. "It is emotionally very draining."

Twelve years ago, she and others turned their heartbreak into action by founding Ukrainians in the Carolinas, an organization dedicated to standing with their homeland from North Carolina. They have collected and sent critical humanitarian supplies while educating other residents about the situation overseas.

As Tuesday marks four years into the Russian invasion, dozens gathered in downtown Raleigh for a rally and vigil aimed at honoring the lives that have been lost during this war.

Reports show the number of soldiers killed, injured, or missing on both sides of this war could reach 2 million by spring. It's unclear how many civilian lives have been lost, but the United Nations said the war has killed 763 children.

"Too long. It shouldn't have taken this long for the world to react to Russian aggression and atrocities. Impatience on my side. Ukraine is still suffering. Ukrainian civilians, children, and the elderly are still dying," Kozlova-Pates said.

She would like to see more global support and hopes this war ends soon.

During the weekend, she and other Ukrainians from across the country stood shoulder to shoulder on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to make their voices heard.

"I have very deep and profound gratitude to our community here in North Carolina, certainly here in the Triangle, where we're most active, for all the support and compassion," she said.