Ukrainian community gathers in support of homeland on Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds

A town centre turned blue and yellow on Saturday as a community came together in support of their homeland.

Nearly 40 Ukrainians and their supporters rallied outside the Abbey Gardens on Angel Hill, in Bury St Edmunds, after talks between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump ended in a heated dispute last month.

The community appealed for continued military, political and humanitarian support.

Oriiana Tysh, from western Ukraine, came to Suffolk with her four children when the war broke out three years ago.

She was at the rally with her son Radomyr, and said, although things have moved forward since the clash at the Oval Office, more needs to be done.

“The war in Ukraine continues every minute,” said the 42-year-old. “My homeland needs weapons to drive the enemy out.

“My brother, who was a manager by profession, is now a solider. He and his comrades cannot ‘pause’ the war because every pause means a lost of life.

“This is why we are here - to draw public attention to the suffering in our country.

“Russian propaganda is manipulating public opinion worldwide.

“Putin will always deceive to serve his own interest, so we must think carefully about every decision.”

Oriiana now lives in Lackford and continues to support her country.

She regularly sends training equipment to a rehabilitation centre in Ternopil, in western Ukraine.

The centre is set to become a hub for disabled veterans and their families.

She hopes she can return to her homeland once the war is over.