It's been nearly a year since Russia invaded Ukraine in an unprovoked act of aggression that set off the most destructive war in Europe since World War II. Thousands of people have died and many more are displaced.
New Yorkers have come together to stand with the people of Ukraine, leading the mayor of Bucha, one of hardest hit cities in Ukraine, to make a visit upstate.
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan welcomed Bucha Mayor Anatoliy Fedoruk to the Capital City on Monday afternoon, saying, “There is not a mayor in the county who has experienced what you are living.”
Nearly 40,000 people call Bucha home. It is located about 30 minutes west of Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine. This time last year, it was about to come under siege and be occupied by Russian military forces.
“Thirty-two hundred objects were destroyed, critical infrastructure, social infrastructure and residential buildings of my citizens,” Fedoruk said through a language translator.
But nothing is more significant than the loss of life in Bucha.
“Four hundred and nineteen single people were intentionally killed, women, man and children,” Fedoruk said.
The adversity the historic city continues to face is why Sheehan said a sister city agreement was in order.
“To create a bond between us that we hope will lead to brighter days ahead for Bucha,” Sheehan said.
To which Fedoruk replied, “It is important to know that we are not alone in this battle and in this fight.”
He said it was important for people to remember while the war in Ukraine is devastating his country, its impact is wide-ranging.
“The war is not happening between just Ukraine and Russia," Fedoruk said. "It is happening between the two civilizations, between democracy and autocracy.”
The mayor said he and his city have a lot of rebuilding to do and is appreciative of any assistance.
His first impressions of Albany after traveling through the nation’s capital and New York City?
“What I like more is the comfort, coziness in Albany. It’s more close to me,” Fedoruk said.