Portland’s Ukrainian nonprofit marks four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion with downtown gathering

Community event held at Pioneer Courthouse Square on Feb. 22 as war nears fourth anniversary

A Portland-based Ukrainian nonprofit organized a public gathering Sunday, Feb. 22, at Pioneer Courthouse Square to mark nearly four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. The downtown event brought together dozens of attendees despite rainy weather, with Ukrainian music and cultural elements incorporated into the program.

The organizer, DAWN, works with Ukrainians in the Portland area and provides support connected to the war’s impacts. The group’s stated activities include sending medical aid and other resources to Ukraine and providing mental health support for people affected by the conflict.

Speakers, reflection, and a message focused on continuing needs

The program included remarks from DAWN leadership and contributions from American veterans. Organizers encouraged attendees to take time for reflection, while emphasizing that the war remains ongoing and continues to affect families and communities tied to Ukraine.

At the gathering, DAWN’s president, Yulia Brockdorf, described the event as a public act of presence for a conflict that can feel distant in the United States but remains immediate for people with relatives, friends, and personal histories in Ukraine.

“People in Ukraine did not choose this war,” Brockdorf said during the event.

Local mobilization has continued as the war has entered a prolonged phase

The downtown commemoration fits within a longer pattern of Portland-area community activity since 2022, including prior anniversary gatherings at the same site. Pioneer Courthouse Square—often used for civic events—has hosted multiple public assemblies connected to Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Four years after the invasion began, the conflict has evolved into a sustained, high-casualty war with major humanitarian consequences, including widespread displacement and damage to infrastructure and essential services. The anniversary timing has also renewed attention among community organizations that pair cultural programming with fundraising and material support efforts.

What DAWN says it provides

• Medical aid and supplies sent to Ukraine
• Resources intended for civilians and service members affected by the war
• Mental health support tied to war-related trauma

The Feb. 22 gathering concluded with organizers reiterating that, for many families connected to Ukraine, the war remains a daily reality—and that ongoing support, material assistance, and public engagement are still being sought as the fourth anniversary approaches.