Eiffel Tower lit up and Trafalgar Square vigil for Ukraine war anniversary

Landmarks glow in blue and yellow throughout Europe as people gather at London site to mark year since Russia invaded neighbour

The Eiffel Tower in Paris is lit up in the blue-and-yellow colours of Ukraine. Reuters

A vigil for Ukraine on the anniversary of the conflict with Russia, at Trafalgar Square in London on February 23. Reuters

Ukrainians at the London vigil. EPA

A child holds a Ukrainian flag during the Trafalgar Square vigil. Reuters

Ukrainians at Trafalgar Square. EPA

Ukrainians at Trafalgar Square. EPA

A young girl sits on her father's shoulders at the gathering. EPA

The Trafalgar Square vigil organised by the Ukrainian and US embassies in London for the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion. AP

The Trafalgar Square vigil organised by the Ukrainian and US embassies in London for the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion. AP

The Trafalgar Square vigil organised by the Ukrainian and US embassies in London for the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion. Reuters

The Trafalgar Square vigil organised by the Ukrainian and US embassies in London for the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion. AP

A father carries a child on his shoulders at the vigil. AP

The vigil at Trafalgar Square on Thursday. AP

The vigil at Trafalgar Square on Thursday. AP

The vigil at Trafalgar Square on Thursday. Reuters

The Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko, addresses the London Vigil. Reuters

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, speaks at the vigil. PA

Actress and activist Helen Mirren addresses the London vigil. PA

Tourists in Paris with balloons as the Eiffel Tower is lit in Ukraine's colours. AP

The Eiffel Tower light show in support of Ukraine. AFP

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo speaks alongside the Ukrainian ambassador to France, Vadym Omelchenko, during an event to light Eiffel Tower in the colours of the Ukrainian flag on Thursday. AFP

Avaaz activists and Ukrainian refugees on Thursday leave thousands of children's teddy bears and toys at Schuman Roundabout in front of the European Commission in Brussels to highlight the reported abduction 6,000 Ukrainian children by Russia. AP for Avaaz. org

A Ukrainian refugee leaves a teddy bear in front of the European Commission building in Brussels. AP for Avaaz.org

The EU Council and Commission buildings are lit in the colours of the Ukrainian flag on Thursday night. EPA

People draped in Ukrainian flags gathered at a vigil in London and Paris lit up the Eiffel Tower in blue and yellow on Thursday, as the world marks a year of war between Ukraine and Russia.

The biggest attack by one state against another in Europe since the Second World War began on February 24, 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine by land, air and sea.

While Ukraine and the West call the invasion an unprovoked land grab, Russia explains its actions as "a special military operation".

"There will be a life after this war, because Ukraine will win," Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said before the Eiffel Tower was lit up to show solidarity with Ukraine.

"I think no one will run out of this fierce desire for freedom, for Europe, for democracy that the Ukrainians are showing."

In Brussels, EU buildings including those of the European Parliament and Commission, were similarly lit up in the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

In London, people draped in Ukrainian flags and holding banners — including one that said "Put Putin in the bin", in a reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin — gathered at Trafalgar Square for a vigil.

One year of the Russia-Ukraine war — in pictures

"Tomorrow is the anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Russia into my country, this is why I thought I just can't stay home," said Olena Iliuk, 18.

Ukraine had success with counter-offensives in late 2022 to seize much of the territory it lost earlier, and the war has settled into one of attritional trench warfare and rising losses on both sides.

Russia controls about a fifth of Ukraine a year on.