Demonstrations for Ukraine were held in a number of towns at the weekend, including Kristianstad. A large number of people took part. Oleksandr Khimiak, 32, from Knislinge was one of them.

– I took part at Maidan in Kiev in 2014 too, but you can't compare the situation now with what it was then, he says.

Four years ago he left western Ukraine and came to Sweden. His relatives and friends are still there.

Oleksandr Khimiak has difficulty in holding back his tears.

– It's dreadful. Just like Sweden, we have a long history with the Russians, but in another way. In the western part of Ukraine we've never trusted Russia all that much.

– I feel rage. I'm extremely angry, but I'm not afraid that Ukraine will be defeated. They will win. All of them are motivated.

Tania Liakhovych, 27, also took part in the demonstration. She left Ukraine two and a half years ago and now lives with her husband in Hammar.

– There's a lot of worry. I have colleagues all over Ukraine and I'm trying to keep in contact with them. Every day people ask, ”What was your night like? Was it ok? Did you have to hide in the cellar?” It's awful. It shouldn't be like this in 2022, she says.

She thinks it is important to spread information. and to send money to help the army and the Red Cross.

– Just two days have passed, but it feels as though the war has been going on for months now.