УКР On June 10 in London Leleka Foundation, alongside Head of Government and Parliamentary Relations at Support Ukraine and co-organiser Thomas Brayford, hosted a thought-provoking event titled “Can the Killer in the Kremlin Be Held Accountable for the War Crimes in Ukraine?” at St Mary’s Aldermary, a historic church in the heart of London. The evening featured Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk and renowned journalist and war correspondent John Sweeney.
In his opening remarks, Thomas Brayford described the church as “a sanctuary for reflection, truth-seeking, and moral clarity,” a fitting venue for such an urgent conversation. He emphasized the importance of confronting “the very heart of justice, accountability, and human dignity,” stressing that in times of disinformation and brutality, “we need clear, unwavering voices—voices rooted in evidence, integrity, and courage.” Brayford also expressed his gratitude to Revd Paul Kennedy for generously hosting the evening and mentioned Leleka Foundation. “It was a real honour to once again partner with the Leleka Foundation, which sends life-saving medical supplies to frontline medics in Ukraine. This is solidarity in action. And everyone’s presence at these events, and all donations, help to make a real difference.”
Matviichuk, who leads Ukraine’s Center for Civil Liberties and co-founded the “Tribunal for Putin” initiative, spoke with rare emotional clarity and moral force. Her organisation has been at the forefront of documenting thousands of war crimes committed during Russia’s full-scale invasion. Matviichuk’s belief in the importance of testimony resonated throughout the church. “Knowing and witnessing are two completely different things,” she said, urging the international community not to treat justice as an afterthought. “People in Ukraine want justice—not revenge, but justice.”
“At a time when truth is under assault and atrocities are unfolding in the heart of Europe, we need clear, unwavering voices - voices rooted in evidence, integrity, and courage. Oleksandra Matviichuk is one of those voices. Her work stands as a testament to the power of principled leadership in the face of profound injustice,” Brayford added.
Sweeney, who interviewed her on stage, drew from his own reporting experience. He had spent two years embedded in Ukraine and is known for his bold frontline journalism. His latest documentary, Under Deadly Skies: Ukraine’s Eastern Front, produced with the Byline Times, reveals chilling evidence of Russian atrocities. He summarised his position on accountability with characteristic bluntness: “Spoiler alert—arm Ukraine. End of.”
The event was not only a call to moral action but also a fundraiser. All proceeds from ticket sales went directly to the Leleka Foundation to deliver more tactical medical backpacks to the frontline medics. “We are incredibly grateful to Oleksandra Matviichuk, Thomas Brayford, John Sweeney, and all our volunteers for helping us raise awareness about the work of the Leleka Foundation and the urgent need to hold Russia accountable for war crimes committed in Ukraine,” said Vadim Geshel, President of the Leleka Foundation.
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