February 24, 2026 marks the beginning of the fifth year of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. What this means for the lives of people in Ukraine is unimaginable for most people here. Temperatures have been below freezing for weeks. Due to ongoing Russian attacks with drones and ballistic weapons on the energy infrastructure, many cities have no permanent water or electricity supply. Even in apartments in the metropolis of Kyiv, people are freezing at zero degrees.
On January 13, 2026, Holocaust survivor Yevgenia Besfamilnaya is found dead in her apartment. Besfamilnaya translates as “without a name.” As a child, she escaped the Babyn Yar massacre by the Germans in 1941 and later grew up in an orphanage. The systematic Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure proved fatal for her.
With all the crises and wars, it is easy to lose sympathy for individuals; it is numbers, cities, temperatures, drone strikes that we hear every day with half an ear on the news. Ukraine may feel very far away to the German left, and fates such as that of Yevgenia Besfamilnaya may elicit a brief moment of concern.
Some of us traveled to Ukraine ourselves last fall. We learned a lot, our perspective on many things changed, and friendships were formed. That is why we are organizing a week of solidarity with those who are now living and fighting in the fourth year of Russia’s war of aggression: a week of solidarity with the people of Ukraine!
During this week, we want to talk to comrades on the ground, discuss local organizations, get to know the Antifa Gym in Kyiv, and learn from history together with a lecture on the history of Russian imperialism! On Friday, we will show a film about anti-authoritarian activists who have decided to fight with weapons in their hands.
On February 24, a demonstration will take place in the old town to mark the sad anniversary of the Russian offensive.
Solidarity with the struggle for freedom in Ukraine and everywhere in the world where people rise up against authoritarian and fascist oppression!
17.02.-24.02.2026
Week of Solidarity with people in Ukraine | Dresden
EVENTS
Tuesday, 17.02.2026 | 7pm
Solidarity event for Antifa Gym in Kyiv
Malobeo | slideshow | auction | Solidarity cocktails made from kvass
@Malobeo, Kamenzer Str. 38, Dresden
Wednesday, 18.02.2026 | 6pm
They had no choice – Mensch und Tier im Krieg in der Ukraine
Tierbefreier*innen| input & live interview in german/english
@Hole of Fame, Königsbrücker Str. 39, Dresden
Thursday, 19.02.2026 | 6pm
Centuries of militarism of russian empire
OAG | 6pm food | 7pm presentation (en)
@Malobeo, Kamenzer Str. 38, Dresden
Friday, 20.02.2026 | 6pm
Movie: Anti-authoritarians at war (EN) and talk
ABC Dresden | movie and talk in english
@Hole of Fame, Königsbrücker Str. 39, Dresden
Dienstag, 24.02.2026
Demonstration in Solidarity with people in Ukraine
on the anniversary of russian´s full scale invasion