From Sydney to Kyiv: Australians Rally as Ukraine War Enters Fifth Year
News Aggregator/Posted 25 February,2026
SYDNEY — Thousands of Australians gathered at landmark sites across the country on February 24 to mark the fifth anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In a powerful display of “strategic endurance,” the rallies mirrored high-level diplomatic efforts in Canberra to solidify Australia’s long-term role in Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction.
Sydney Rally at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney /Photo Credit K.M.
Thousands Stand in Solidarity
From the forecourt of St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney to Federation Square in Melbourne, the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) coordinated a nationwide “Stand With Ukraine” movement.
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Sydney: Thousands gathered for a vigil led by Cardinal Mykola Bychok, focusing on the plight of thousands of abducted Ukrainian children.
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Adelaide: Hundreds assembled on the steps of Parliament House, joined by SA Premier Peter Malinauskas, to open a commemorative photography exhibition, Ukraine at War.
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Canberra: Demonstrators held a “Four Years of Resistance” protest directly in front of the Russian Embassy in Griffith, calling for a total withdrawal of invading forces.
“What happens in Ukraine matters to Australians,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated in a message to the community.
“Ukraine’s fight is a fight for the global rules-based order, which is the cornerstone of our own security in the Indo-Pacific.”
Canberra’s “Largest Ever” Sanctions Package
To coincide with the anniversary, the Albanese Government announced its most comprehensive sanctions package since the war began. For the first time, Australia is targeting the “shadow fleet” and digital infrastructure used by Moscow to bypass international trade barriers.
The Military Pivot
As the war enters its fifth year, Australia’s military contribution has surpassed $1.5 billion. On the anniversary, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles emphasized Australia’s role as the largest non-NATO contributor of military aid.
The “fifth-year framework” focuses on high-tech capabilities, including the final delivery of the 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks promised in late 2025 and a new $95 million package of tactical air defense radars and advanced drone technology.
A Reopened Presence
Significantly, the anniversary was marked by the full restoration of Australia’s diplomatic presence on the ground. After a temporary relocation in 2022, the Australian Embassy in Kyiv officially reopened its doors last month, with Ambassador Paul Lehmann returning to the capital to oversee the distribution of Australian humanitarian and reconstruction funds.
