On Air Sundown Judith Ley | 9:00pm - 1:00am

UKRAINE: One year on - a timeline 

How the Isle of Man has supported the war-torn country

Today (24 February) marks one year since the start of the Russian invasion into Ukraine.

Millions of people have been displaced, thousands have died and there has been severe economic impact.

And, with no end in sight, governments around the world have opened their borders to help Ukrainians impacted by the fighting - including the Isle of Man.

At 11am a minute's silence will be held to show the Island's support - something Chief Minister Alfred Cannan has described as 'a national moment of reflection'.  

The Legislative Buildings, in Douglas, will also be lit in yellow and blue – the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

It's one way of marking what has been a turbulent year for the country. 

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FEBRUARY 2022

Just one day before the war broke out the Manx Government updated sanctions against Russia in line with the British Government.

It meant freezing of UK held assets in five Russian banks and those of three wealthy individuals.

Under the terms of the sanctions all Isle of Man and UK individuals and entities were prohibited from having any dealings with individuals or corporate organisations named in the sanctions.

A day after the invasion started, on 25 February, the chief minister said the Island would do 'everything it needs' to support Ukraine. 

On the same day the Island's landmark's - including the Tower of Refuge, Pulrose Power Station and Tynwald - turned blue and yellow.

Manx Radio also spoke to a number of Ukrainians, living on the Isle of Man, who shared their stories of watching the war unfold from afar.

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MARCH 2022

In March Manx airspace, and ports, were also closed to Russian aircraft and ships.

Eight aircrafts and yachts (including two superyachts) were removed from the Isle of Man Air Registry due to the sanctions imposed and all Russian and Belarusian businesses were excluded.

Government also donated £500,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee for its Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal – and officials started to look at what direct assistance it could offer to people fleeing Ukraine.

The Council of Ministers said it wanted to ‘play its part’ in providing humanitarian support and launched The Isle of Man Homes for Ukraine scheme.

In March local groups began collecting aid to be delivered to Ukrainians in the war-torn country.

The Island hosted the International Linguistics Olympiad however Russians were banned from partaking in this - government also revealed no Russian teams had applied for TT 2022.

A candlelight vigil was held in Douglas.

The National Farmers' Union also raised money at an auction that was sent to the DEC. 

Thirty Ukrainian cats, displaced by the war, arrived on the Island. 

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APRIL 2022

In April government revealed it had received 30 applications from Ukrainians wishing to travel to the Isle of Man - 10 via the family scheme and 20 through the sponsorship pathway. 

The first Ukrainian refugees then arrived on Island - 18 through the family pathway, with 36 having been granted permission to take refuge on the Island.

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JULY 2022

In July government started to look at quicker ways to get more Ukrainians to the Island.

63 Ukrainians were granted permission to move.

The Isle of Man was added to Russia's list of unfriendly countries

The Treasury Minister pledged the Island would continue to play its part to stop the war. 

22 aircraft and 49 yachts were deregistered from the Island's air and ship registries. 

Community group Cafe Lingo also began offering English lessons to Ukrainian refugees. 

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AUGUST 2022

The Promenade Methodist Church marked Ukraine Independence Day with a special prayer - inviting members of the Ukrainian community to take part. 

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SEPTEMBER 2022

More than 300 primary school children on the Isle of Man sang a song for peace on World Peace Day at Tynwald Hill. 

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NOVEMBER 2022

Government opened a six-week consultation about the Island's future stance on refugees fleeing places of conflict. 

More than 100 Ukrainians have now taken advantage of the Isle of Man Homes for Ukraine scheme and travelled to the Island.

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JANUARY 2023 

There are 125 refugees who have been granted permission to move to the Isle of Man - the actual number that have successfully made the trip is unknown.

The Manx Loaghtan Wool Shop has also sent bags of carded fleece to Ukraine through the 'Wool for Ukraine' initiative.

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