While Western leaders continue their visit to Ukraine in a show of support for Volodymyr Zelensky, our live coverage stops here.
You can click here to read a report by our Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse from Kryvyi Rih about how Ukrainians are refusing to give up their fight.
And another one, also from James Waterhouse, where he looks at whether Ukraine's withdrawal from Adviivka means Russia is turning the tide of the war.
This page was brought to you by our teams on the ground in Ukraine and in London - where it was edited by me, Aoife Walsh and Lauren Turner. It was written by Jack Burgess and Emily Atkinson.
We're about to close our live page coverage so here's a summary of what's been happening today:
It's two years to the day since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine
Ukrainian President Zelensky has urged his country to keep fighting and says Russia cannot destroy his country's dreams
Western leaders from Italy, Belgium, Canada and the President of the European Commission have been visiting Kyiv today in a show of solidarity with Ukraine
Italy and Canada have signed bilateral security pacts with Ukraine
Russia continued to attack Ukraine overnight, with at least five people being killed after another round of missile and drone strikes across the country
Marches in support of Ukraine have been held in many cities around the world
"There is no joy but there is no pessimism,” reflects Ukraine’s
greatest living novelist Andrey Kurkov.
Speaking to me on this cold grey
anniversary day, he described himself as “a pathological optimist” - he couldn’t
allow himself to think Ukraine would be abandoned by its Western allies.
Everyone we met in recent
days in Kyiv said the same, unable to believe Ukraine’s friends would stop the
military and financial support so desperately needed to fight a war against
Russia which is about much more than Ukraine.
In Kyiv, Ukrainians have learned
to live with this war.
“It looks like almost normal until the next signal of
air raid alert,” Kurkov remarked. The author of 19 novels has now found he is
able to return to his fiction writing again after he could only focus on
chronicling this invasion.
Ukrainians now realise it will be
a long war. They say what’s hard is not knowing when this will end.
But they
still say, to a person, it must end in victory.
In pictures: Marches for Ukraine in multiple cities
Marches to show solidarity with Ukraine have been continuing throughout many cities today.
Demonstrators draped in Ukrainian colours line London's Trafalgar SquareImage caption: Demonstrators draped in Ukrainian colours line London's Trafalgar Square
Crowds fill the streets with Ukrainian flags in Belgrade, SerbiaImage caption: Crowds fill the streets with Ukrainian flags in Belgrade, Serbia
EPA-EFECopyright: EPA-EFE
Ukraine's colours fly high in front of Berlin's Brandenburg GateImage caption: Ukraine's colours fly high in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate
The enormous toll the war has had on Ukraine
Zhanna Bezpiatchuk
Reporting from Kyiv
BBCCopyright: BBC
Valentyna and her grandson Vlad on a video call - she has sent him to safety, meaning they are now split by the warImage caption: Valentyna and her grandson Vlad on a video call - she has sent him to safety, meaning they are now split by the war
Russia continues to attack Ukrainian forces in several directions. One of the villages targeted recently is Hroza, in Kharkiv region, near the border with Russia.
When
we went there over two weeks ago, we constantly received notifications warning of Russian drones and missiles.
Ukraine, and then the UN, confirmed that there had been no military targets or army personnel
around. Fourteen children were orphaned in one minute during this attack.
"This
house is empty because the family was killed by the strike. This house is empty
because its owner was killed too," 57-year-old Valentyna Kozyr tells me as we walk around the village.
This
woman lost most of her family to the Russian attack. She
points at so many empty homes. After a while I stop counting.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Now Valentyna is raising her only remaining grandson, 14-year-old Vlad.
"It's devastatingly hard," she says of her losses and the fate of the village.
By choosing to resist the Russian invasion, Ukraine saved the lives of millions from deportation, death and forced emigration.
It has potentially also reduced the capabilities of the Russian army to attack targets outside of Ukraine.
But Hroza still took the enormous toll of loss and death. It was hit by a Russian ballistic missile which can't be intercepted so close to the Russia's border.
The UN has put the death toll of the war in Ukraine so far at 10,191 people. The actual numbers may be much higher.
Scotland 'stands in steadfast solidarity' with Ukraine, says first minister
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Scotland stands "in absolute steadfast solidarity" with Ukraine, First Minister Humza Yousef has said on the second anniversary of Russia's invasion.
Speaking ahead of a service of remembrance at the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle, where he lay a wreath and gave a reading, he added: "They are fighting for not only for their freedom, not only for their sovereignty, they are actually fighting for all of our freedoms.
"We know that Russia, that Putin, won't necessarily stop at Ukraine."
Dozens of Ukrainians who have settled in Edinburgh attended the service, alongside political and religious leaders.
The service ended with a rendition of the Ukrainian national anthem and God Save The King.
PACopyright: PA
People take part in a Stand With Ukraine Against Russian Aggression rally in EdinburghImage caption: People take part in a Stand With Ukraine Against Russian Aggression rally in Edinburgh
'Nothing heals the soul like home'
Anastasiia Levchenko
Reporting from Kyiv
Arina LytvynchukCopyright: Arina Lytvynchuk
Arina and her father SerhiyImage caption: Arina and her father Serhiy
Ukrainian
singer Arina Lytvynchuk evacuated to Denmark after the full scale invasion
began.
She'd been performing in charity concerts, taking part in rallies in
support of Ukraine and organizing delivery of humanitarian aid to the soldiers
on the frontline.
However, the desire to come back home outweighed the feeling
of safety abroad.
Quote Message: Nothing heals the soul like home." from Arina Lytvynchuk
Nothing heals the soul like home."
After a year of volunteering in Denmark, Arina came back to Ukraine.
Now she delivers humanitarian aid on the frontline and sings for the soldiers.
She tells me she never asks soldiers about the war because she sees the pain in their eyes; there’s no need for words.
“I remember once I sang to the soldiers without a microphone, just turned on the music on my phone. Tears appeared in their eyes," she says.
"Later they thanked me for bringing them to reality at least for three minutes. Music heals souls. It's an honour for me to sing for the soldiers," Arina adds.
Arina LytvynchukCopyright: Arina Lytvynchuk
Arina on the stageImage caption: Arina on the stage
When she is not on the front, Arina teaches singing.
She says people come to her lessons to receive psychological relief, not to develop vocal technique.
Music also reminds Arina of her father, who's also a singer.
He joined the Ukrainian army in Donbas two years ago.
Arina dreams of singing a duet with him once Ukraine has won the war and he can return from the frontlines.
A serious meeting under the chandeliers
James Waterhouse
Ukraine correspondent, in the Mariyinskyi Palace in Kyiv
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
They talked about “integration... more funding… recovery… sanctions”
and reiterated their support for Ukraine “for as long as it takes”.
The head of the European Commission and the Prime Ministers of
Belgium, Canada and Italy standing alongside President Zelensky was quite the
show of unity.
They discussed support packages worth tens of billions of pounds
which had either arrived or started to trickle into Kyiv.
But alongside the Mariyinskyi Palace’s gold encrusted walls and
chandeliers, there was an elephant in the room.
Unlike last year, neither President Biden, nor anyone from the
White House, has visited Ukraine’s capital for this year’s anniversary.
With a sizeable military package still blocked in Washington and
question marks over America’s commitment beyond its upcoming election, is this
Ukraine looking towards other allies to fill the gap?
We've just been hearing a bit more about the bilateral security pact signed today between Canada and Ukraine.
Canada has said this year it will give 3.02bn Canadian dollars ($2.2 bn; £1.7bn) in financial and military support to Ukraine.
"We will stand with Ukraine with whatever it takes, for as long as it takes," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said.
Ukrainians in NI: 'We are feeling helpless so far from our country'
Kevin Sharkey
BBC News NI
BBCCopyright: BBC
Ukrainian families
based in the Omagh area have come together to remember the second anniversary
of the invasion of their country by Russia.
They were joined at a vigil in the town centre by the Omagh Community refugee
support project ERANO.
Several dozen people attended the event, which was organised by women who have
left families behind in Ukraine.
Natalia Kreherenko says: “We are feeling helpless so far from our country, we
need to do something to draw attention to the ongoing war, which has destroyed
all our lives.”
She says she understands that people have what she described as “war fatigue", but adds: “We beg people to not ignore us because the war is not just about
Ukraine, it has the potential to create big problems for everyone and we must
win.”
Mary Lafferty from ERANO adds: “The plight of our refugees remains immense, and
it is important that we as a community continue to welcome and do everything we
can to support refugees coming in to Northern Ireland.”
Listen: BBC experts answer your questions
In this special episode of Ukrainecast, BBC experts from around the world answer your questions on the war.
They include the BBC’s chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet in Kyiv, Russia editor Steve Rosenberg in Moscow and BBC Verify’s Olga Robinson.
People detained at protest by soldiers' wives in Moscow
Meanwhile in Moscow, at least four people, including reporters, have been detained at a protest organised by the wives of soldiers fighting for Russia in Ukraine, AFP reports.
The wives were protesting to demand their partners are returned home.
A video published by independent Russian media outlet Sota shows police detaining several people.
"In our times, even laying flowers is expressing a civic position that carries certain risks," one of the women taking part in the protest told Sota, according to AFP.
Russian authorities have cracked down on protests in recent years, with those taking to the streets often facing being fired, facing hefty fines or criminal prosecution.
Kyiv has shown extraordinary resilience
Zhanna Bezpiatchuk
Reporting from Kyiv
Zhanna BezpiatchukCopyright: Zhanna Bezpiatchuk
In Kyiv today, 24 February 2024, you can easily
get an appointment with a dentist, go to a hairdresser or the theatre.
This city has really shown extraordinary resilience throughout the two years of the war.
But there is something more important to say about Kyiv's reality.
At its central Maidan square you can see the memorial site
where thousands of small Ukrainian flags are stuck in the soil.
They
commemorate the fallen Ukrainian soldiers. Every flag carries a name and the dates
of birth and death.
They are flying in the cold wind of the ending winter. Among
them, several flags are dedicated to those whom I knew.
On 24 February 2022 these men were full of dreams, plans, wishes, energy.
They didn't
share any ideas of martyrdom. They had lots of ideas of life.
Zhanna BezpiatchukCopyright: Zhanna Bezpiatchuk
They went to defend their country from the Russian occupation and fight against Putin's aggression.
For me, behind their flags, there is an entire universe which is killed and lost forever.
That's why Ukrainians sometimes say that Ukraine shoots at its enemy "with diamonds" - losing its greatest people.
The breath of Kyiv’s chilling wind is wiping my people's tears.
The future here is still uncertain, and the main thing discussed in Kyiv today is Russia's preparations for a long, large-scale war.
Ukraine signs bilateral security pacts with Italy and Canada
ITALIAN GOVERNMENT PRESS OFFICE/EPACopyright: ITALIAN GOVERNMENT PRESS OFFICE/EPA
We've been hearing more from Ukraine's President Zelensky, who in the last few moments has said he's signed a bilateral security agreement with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Canada's PM Justin Trudeau.
The agreements are intended to shore up Ukraine's security until it can reach its aim of becoming a member of Nato.
In a post on social media, Zelensky says the document "lays a strong foundation for a long-term security partnership between Ukraine and Italy."
The leaders of Italy and Canada are currently in Kyiv to mark the second anniversary of Russia full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Just joining us? Here's a look at today's key moments so far
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a joint statement with four Western leaders at an airfield in Hostomel, UkraineImage caption: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a joint statement with four Western leaders at an airfield in Hostomel, Ukraine
Today, Ukraine and its allies are marking the second anniversary of the Russian invasion. Here are some of the key moments so far:
In a rallying cry, President Zelensky urged his country to keep fighting and said Russia could not destroy Ukrainian dreams
The president was joined by four Western leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen - she praised Kyiv's forces' courage that "stood in Putin’s way"
And in a reminder of the ongoing bloodshed, Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities continued overnight, with four deaths reported across the country
We've heard from top Ukrainian officials across the day, with Kyiv major Vitali Klitschko and former Ukrainian PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk emphasising the need for more aid and military support from western allies
Away from Ukraine, marches in support of Kyiv have been taking place across cities in Europe, including Berlin, Copenhagen and Krakow
In London, King Charles praised the "determination and strength" of the Ukrainian people, adding: "Theirs is true valour, in the face of indescribable aggression"
Marches held across Europe to mark second anniversary
Marches in support of Ukraine are being held across some of Europe's major cities to mark two years since Russia's invasion began.
We've already seen preparations getting under way for a march in London, and below are images from some of the other events happening around the continent:
EPACopyright: EPA
People take part in a peace march for Ukraine on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, FranceImage caption: People take part in a peace march for Ukraine on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Demonstrators attend the #VictoryForPeace (Frieden Verteidigen) protest in Berlin, GermanyImage caption: Demonstrators attend the #VictoryForPeace (Frieden Verteidigen) protest in Berlin, Germany
People carry placards as they attend a demonstration in front of the Russian Embassy in Copenhagen, DenmarkImage caption: People carry placards as they attend a demonstration in front of the Russian Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark
How two years of war in Ukraine changed Russia
Steve Rosenberg
BBC Russia editor
24 February 2022 was a watershed moment.
But looking back the direction of travel had been clear.
It was in 2014 that Russia had annexed Crimea from Ukraine and first intervened militarily in the Donbas; Alexei Navalny had been poisoned with a nerve agent in 2020 and jailed in 2021.
Domestic repression in Russia pre-dates the invasion of Ukraine, but it has accelerated since.
As for Vladimir Putin, two years into this war he sounds increasingly confident and determined to defeat his enemies at home and abroad.
He rails against America, Nato and the EU and presents Russia's war in Ukraine as a war on Russia by the "collective West", an existential battle for his country's survival.
How and when will it end? I can't predict the future. I can, however, recall the past.
Western leaders visiting Kyiv to mark the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine attended a wreath laying ceremony in the capital, Kyiv, earlier today.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was joined by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.
Here are some images from the ceremony:
EPACopyright: EPA
EPACopyright: EPA
EPACopyright: EPA
‘Talking about war has been normalised,’ says Ukrainian student
Eleanor Doyle
BBC Newsbeat
University of WarwickCopyright: University of Warwick
Two years of continuous war have had an impact on Ukrainian
students in the UK, such as Elya Aliieva.
She came to the UK as part of the government’s Homes for
Ukraine scheme and studies at the University of Warwick.
Elya, from Kharkiv, says she’s gotten used to the
fact war is happening.
“With my parents, it’s just become such a normalised thing
to talk about,” she tells BBC Newsbeat.
Elya says the stress of deadlines people face at uni is nothing compared
to the worries of war.
“I have to call my parents up and ask if they’re alive
today. It’s a totally different reality," she adds.
Looking ahead, she is hopeful things are going to improve.
“And the war is going to be over.
“That’s what keeps us going, the hope that everything’s
going to be good one day,” she says.
'We're here to ask for urgent help', says London march organiser
Insaf Abbas
Reporting from the march
BBCCopyright: BBC
Organisers of a march taking place in central London have
started gathering and setting up here at Marble Arch station.
The main organiser of the rally, Natalia Ravlyuk, told me
she wants to remind the world what’s happening in Ukraine.
“We are here to ask for urgent help," she says.
"The war in Ukraine is not over and Russians are killing
us every single day. They’re targeting civilians.
“Please help us to stop Russia where they are - before
they come to European borders.”
She says military aid is what’s urgently needed.
“We need long-range missiles,
we need fighter jets, we need more ammunition so our soldiers can fight and do
their job.”
Live Reporting
Edited by Lauren Turner and Nadia Ragozhina
All times stated are UK
REUTERS/Irakli GedenidzeCopyright: REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze -
It's two years to the day since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine
-
Ukrainian President Zelensky has urged his country to keep fighting and says Russia cannot destroy his country's dreams
-
Western leaders from Italy, Belgium, Canada and the President of the European Commission have been visiting Kyiv today in a show of solidarity with Ukraine
-
Italy and Canada have signed bilateral security pacts with Ukraine
-
Russia continued to attack Ukraine overnight, with at least five people being killed after another round of missile and drone strikes across the country
- Marches in support of Ukraine have been held in many cities around the world
Olivia Lace-Evans/BBCCopyright: Olivia Lace-Evans/BBC 
REUTERS/Belinda JiaoCopyright: REUTERS/Belinda Jiao Demonstrators draped in Ukrainian colours line London's Trafalgar SquareImage caption: Demonstrators draped in Ukrainian colours line London's Trafalgar Square 
REUTERS/Marko DjuricaCopyright: REUTERS/Marko Djurica Crowds fill the streets with Ukrainian flags in Belgrade, SerbiaImage caption: Crowds fill the streets with Ukrainian flags in Belgrade, Serbia 
EPA-EFECopyright: EPA-EFE Ukraine's colours fly high in front of Berlin's Brandenburg GateImage caption: Ukraine's colours fly high in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate 
BBCCopyright: BBC Valentyna and her grandson Vlad on a video call - she has sent him to safety, meaning they are now split by the warImage caption: Valentyna and her grandson Vlad on a video call - she has sent him to safety, meaning they are now split by the war 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
PACopyright: PA People take part in a Stand With Ukraine Against Russian Aggression rally in EdinburghImage caption: People take part in a Stand With Ukraine Against Russian Aggression rally in Edinburgh 
Arina LytvynchukCopyright: Arina Lytvynchuk Arina and her father SerhiyImage caption: Arina and her father Serhiy 
Arina LytvynchukCopyright: Arina Lytvynchuk Arina on the stageImage caption: Arina on the stage 
ReutersCopyright: Reuters 
REUTERS/Alina SmutkoCopyright: REUTERS/Alina Smutko 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
Zhanna BezpiatchukCopyright: Zhanna Bezpiatchuk 
Zhanna BezpiatchukCopyright: Zhanna Bezpiatchuk 
ITALIAN GOVERNMENT PRESS OFFICE/EPACopyright: ITALIAN GOVERNMENT PRESS OFFICE/EPA 
ReutersCopyright: Reuters Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a joint statement with four Western leaders at an airfield in Hostomel, UkraineImage caption: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a joint statement with four Western leaders at an airfield in Hostomel, Ukraine -
In a rallying cry, President Zelensky urged his country to keep fighting and said Russia could not destroy Ukrainian dreams
-
The president was joined by four Western leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen - she praised Kyiv's forces' courage that "stood in Putin’s way"
-
And in a reminder of the ongoing bloodshed, Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities continued overnight, with four deaths reported across the country
-
We've heard from top Ukrainian officials across the day, with Kyiv major Vitali Klitschko and former Ukrainian PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk emphasising the need for more aid and military support from western allies
-
Away from Ukraine, marches in support of Kyiv have been taking place across cities in Europe, including Berlin, Copenhagen and Krakow
-
In London, King Charles praised the "determination and strength" of the Ukrainian people, adding: "Theirs is true valour, in the face of indescribable aggression"
EPACopyright: EPA People take part in a peace march for Ukraine on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, FranceImage caption: People take part in a peace march for Ukraine on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France 
ReutersCopyright: Reuters Demonstrators attend the #VictoryForPeace (Frieden Verteidigen) protest in Berlin, GermanyImage caption: Demonstrators attend the #VictoryForPeace (Frieden Verteidigen) protest in Berlin, Germany 
EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockCopyright: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock People carry placards as they attend a demonstration in front of the Russian Embassy in Copenhagen, DenmarkImage caption: People carry placards as they attend a demonstration in front of the Russian Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark 
EPACopyright: EPA 
EPACopyright: EPA 
EPACopyright: EPA 
University of WarwickCopyright: University of Warwick 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC
Latest PostThank you for reading
Nadia Ragozhina
Live reporter
While Western leaders continue their visit to Ukraine in a show of support for Volodymyr Zelensky, our live coverage stops here.
You can click here to read a report by our Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse from Kryvyi Rih about how Ukrainians are refusing to give up their fight.
And another one, also from James Waterhouse, where he looks at whether Ukraine's withdrawal from Adviivka means Russia is turning the tide of the war.
This page was brought to you by our teams on the ground in Ukraine and in London - where it was edited by me, Aoife Walsh and Lauren Turner. It was written by Jack Burgess and Emily Atkinson.
Before we go... here's a quick recap
We're about to close our live page coverage so here's a summary of what's been happening today:
That's just a taster of today's events, but you might be interested in our diplomatic correspondent James Landale's assessment of how the war is likely to unfold.
Ukraine's greatest living novelist is optimistic
Lyse Doucet
Chief international correspondent
"There is no joy but there is no pessimism,” reflects Ukraine’s greatest living novelist Andrey Kurkov.
Speaking to me on this cold grey anniversary day, he described himself as “a pathological optimist” - he couldn’t allow himself to think Ukraine would be abandoned by its Western allies.
Everyone we met in recent days in Kyiv said the same, unable to believe Ukraine’s friends would stop the military and financial support so desperately needed to fight a war against Russia which is about much more than Ukraine.
In Kyiv, Ukrainians have learned to live with this war.
“It looks like almost normal until the next signal of air raid alert,” Kurkov remarked. The author of 19 novels has now found he is able to return to his fiction writing again after he could only focus on chronicling this invasion.
Ukrainians now realise it will be a long war. They say what’s hard is not knowing when this will end.
But they still say, to a person, it must end in victory.
In pictures: Marches for Ukraine in multiple cities
Marches to show solidarity with Ukraine have been continuing throughout many cities today.
Here are some of the latest photos we've seen.
The enormous toll the war has had on Ukraine
Zhanna Bezpiatchuk
Reporting from Kyiv
Russia continues to attack Ukrainian forces in several directions. One of the villages targeted recently is Hroza, in Kharkiv region, near the border with Russia.
When we went there over two weeks ago, we constantly received notifications warning of Russian drones and missiles.
Hroza lost a fifth of its population when a Russian missile hit a funeral ceremony back in October. Fifty-nine people, all civilians, were killed.
Ukraine, and then the UN, confirmed that there had been no military targets or army personnel around. Fourteen children were orphaned in one minute during this attack.
"This house is empty because the family was killed by the strike. This house is empty because its owner was killed too," 57-year-old Valentyna Kozyr tells me as we walk around the village.
This woman lost most of her family to the Russian attack. She points at so many empty homes. After a while I stop counting.
Now Valentyna is raising her only remaining grandson, 14-year-old Vlad.
"It's devastatingly hard," she says of her losses and the fate of the village.
By choosing to resist the Russian invasion, Ukraine saved the lives of millions from deportation, death and forced emigration.
It has potentially also reduced the capabilities of the Russian army to attack targets outside of Ukraine.
But Hroza still took the enormous toll of loss and death. It was hit by a Russian ballistic missile which can't be intercepted so close to the Russia's border.
The UN has put the death toll of the war in Ukraine so far at 10,191 people. The actual numbers may be much higher.
Scotland 'stands in steadfast solidarity' with Ukraine, says first minister
Scotland stands "in absolute steadfast solidarity" with Ukraine, First Minister Humza Yousef has said on the second anniversary of Russia's invasion.
Speaking ahead of a service of remembrance at the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle, where he lay a wreath and gave a reading, he added: "They are fighting for not only for their freedom, not only for their sovereignty, they are actually fighting for all of our freedoms.
"We know that Russia, that Putin, won't necessarily stop at Ukraine."
Dozens of Ukrainians who have settled in Edinburgh attended the service, alongside political and religious leaders.
The service ended with a rendition of the Ukrainian national anthem and God Save The King.
'Nothing heals the soul like home'
Anastasiia Levchenko
Reporting from Kyiv
Ukrainian singer Arina Lytvynchuk evacuated to Denmark after the full scale invasion began.
She'd been performing in charity concerts, taking part in rallies in support of Ukraine and organizing delivery of humanitarian aid to the soldiers on the frontline.
However, the desire to come back home outweighed the feeling of safety abroad.
After a year of volunteering in Denmark, Arina came back to Ukraine.
Now she delivers humanitarian aid on the frontline and sings for the soldiers.
She tells me she never asks soldiers about the war because she sees the pain in their eyes; there’s no need for words.
“I remember once I sang to the soldiers without a microphone, just turned on the music on my phone. Tears appeared in their eyes," she says.
"Later they thanked me for bringing them to reality at least for three minutes. Music heals souls. It's an honour for me to sing for the soldiers," Arina adds.
When she is not on the front, Arina teaches singing.
She says people come to her lessons to receive psychological relief, not to develop vocal technique.
Music also reminds Arina of her father, who's also a singer.
He joined the Ukrainian army in Donbas two years ago.
Arina dreams of singing a duet with him once Ukraine has won the war and he can return from the frontlines.
A serious meeting under the chandeliers
James Waterhouse
Ukraine correspondent, in the Mariyinskyi Palace in Kyiv
They talked about “integration... more funding… recovery… sanctions” and reiterated their support for Ukraine “for as long as it takes”.
The head of the European Commission and the Prime Ministers of Belgium, Canada and Italy standing alongside President Zelensky was quite the show of unity.
They discussed support packages worth tens of billions of pounds which had either arrived or started to trickle into Kyiv.
But alongside the Mariyinskyi Palace’s gold encrusted walls and chandeliers, there was an elephant in the room.
Unlike last year, neither President Biden, nor anyone from the White House, has visited Ukraine’s capital for this year’s anniversary.
With a sizeable military package still blocked in Washington and question marks over America’s commitment beyond its upcoming election, is this Ukraine looking towards other allies to fill the gap?
And are they even able to?
Canada to give $2.2bn to Ukraine this year
We've just been hearing a bit more about the bilateral security pact signed today between Canada and Ukraine.
Canada has said this year it will give 3.02bn Canadian dollars ($2.2 bn; £1.7bn) in financial and military support to Ukraine.
"We will stand with Ukraine with whatever it takes, for as long as it takes," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said.
Ukrainians in NI: 'We are feeling helpless so far from our country'
Kevin Sharkey
BBC News NI
Ukrainian families based in the Omagh area have come together to remember the second anniversary of the invasion of their country by Russia.
They were joined at a vigil in the town centre by the Omagh Community refugee support project ERANO.
Several dozen people attended the event, which was organised by women who have left families behind in Ukraine.
Natalia Kreherenko says: “We are feeling helpless so far from our country, we need to do something to draw attention to the ongoing war, which has destroyed all our lives.”
She says she understands that people have what she described as “war fatigue", but adds: “We beg people to not ignore us because the war is not just about Ukraine, it has the potential to create big problems for everyone and we must win.”
Mary Lafferty from ERANO adds: “The plight of our refugees remains immense, and it is important that we as a community continue to welcome and do everything we can to support refugees coming in to Northern Ireland.”
Listen: BBC experts answer your questions
In this special episode of Ukrainecast, BBC experts from around the world answer your questions on the war.
They include the BBC’s chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet in Kyiv, Russia editor Steve Rosenberg in Moscow and BBC Verify’s Olga Robinson.
Listen here.
People detained at protest by soldiers' wives in Moscow
Meanwhile in Moscow, at least four people, including reporters, have been detained at a protest organised by the wives of soldiers fighting for Russia in Ukraine, AFP reports.
The wives were protesting to demand their partners are returned home.
A video published by independent Russian media outlet Sota shows police detaining several people.
"In our times, even laying flowers is expressing a civic position that carries certain risks," one of the women taking part in the protest told Sota, according to AFP.
Russian authorities have cracked down on protests in recent years, with those taking to the streets often facing being fired, facing hefty fines or criminal prosecution.
Kyiv has shown extraordinary resilience
Zhanna Bezpiatchuk
Reporting from Kyiv
In Kyiv today, 24 February 2024, you can easily get an appointment with a dentist, go to a hairdresser or the theatre.
This city has really shown extraordinary resilience throughout the two years of the war.
But there is something more important to say about Kyiv's reality.
At its central Maidan square you can see the memorial site where thousands of small Ukrainian flags are stuck in the soil.
They commemorate the fallen Ukrainian soldiers. Every flag carries a name and the dates of birth and death.
They are flying in the cold wind of the ending winter. Among them, several flags are dedicated to those whom I knew.
On 24 February 2022 these men were full of dreams, plans, wishes, energy.
They didn't share any ideas of martyrdom. They had lots of ideas of life.
They went to defend their country from the Russian occupation and fight against Putin's aggression.
For me, behind their flags, there is an entire universe which is killed and lost forever.
That's why Ukrainians sometimes say that Ukraine shoots at its enemy "with diamonds" - losing its greatest people.
The breath of Kyiv’s chilling wind is wiping my people's tears.
The future here is still uncertain, and the main thing discussed in Kyiv today is Russia's preparations for a long, large-scale war.
Ukraine signs bilateral security pacts with Italy and Canada
We've been hearing more from Ukraine's President Zelensky, who in the last few moments has said he's signed a bilateral security agreement with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Canada's PM Justin Trudeau.
The agreements are intended to shore up Ukraine's security until it can reach its aim of becoming a member of Nato.
In a post on social media, Zelensky says the document "lays a strong foundation for a long-term security partnership between Ukraine and Italy."
The leaders of Italy and Canada are currently in Kyiv to mark the second anniversary of Russia full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Just joining us? Here's a look at today's key moments so far
Today, Ukraine and its allies are marking the second anniversary of the Russian invasion. Here are some of the key moments so far:
Marches held across Europe to mark second anniversary
Marches in support of Ukraine are being held across some of Europe's major cities to mark two years since Russia's invasion began.
We've already seen preparations getting under way for a march in London, and below are images from some of the other events happening around the continent:
How two years of war in Ukraine changed Russia
Steve Rosenberg
BBC Russia editor
24 February 2022 was a watershed moment.
But looking back the direction of travel had been clear.
It was in 2014 that Russia had annexed Crimea from Ukraine and first intervened militarily in the Donbas; Alexei Navalny had been poisoned with a nerve agent in 2020 and jailed in 2021.
Domestic repression in Russia pre-dates the invasion of Ukraine, but it has accelerated since.
As for Vladimir Putin, two years into this war he sounds increasingly confident and determined to defeat his enemies at home and abroad.
He rails against America, Nato and the EU and presents Russia's war in Ukraine as a war on Russia by the "collective West", an existential battle for his country's survival.
How and when will it end? I can't predict the future. I can, however, recall the past.
Read more here.
European leaders lay wreaths in Kyiv
Western leaders visiting Kyiv to mark the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine attended a wreath laying ceremony in the capital, Kyiv, earlier today.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was joined by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.
Here are some images from the ceremony:
‘Talking about war has been normalised,’ says Ukrainian student
Eleanor Doyle
BBC Newsbeat
Two years of continuous war have had an impact on Ukrainian students in the UK, such as Elya Aliieva.
She came to the UK as part of the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme and studies at the University of Warwick.
Elya, from Kharkiv, says she’s gotten used to the fact war is happening.
“With my parents, it’s just become such a normalised thing to talk about,” she tells BBC Newsbeat.
Elya says the stress of deadlines people face at uni is nothing compared to the worries of war.
“I have to call my parents up and ask if they’re alive today. It’s a totally different reality," she adds.
Looking ahead, she is hopeful things are going to improve.
“And the war is going to be over.
“That’s what keeps us going, the hope that everything’s going to be good one day,” she says.
'We're here to ask for urgent help', says London march organiser
Insaf Abbas
Reporting from the march
Organisers of a march taking place in central London have started gathering and setting up here at Marble Arch station.
The main organiser of the rally, Natalia Ravlyuk, told me she wants to remind the world what’s happening in Ukraine.
“We are here to ask for urgent help," she says.
"The war in Ukraine is not over and Russians are killing us every single day. They’re targeting civilians.
“Please help us to stop Russia where they are - before they come to European borders.”
She says military aid is what’s urgently needed.
“We need long-range missiles, we need fighter jets, we need more ammunition so our soldiers can fight and do their job.”