Governor Hochul Announces State Landmarks to be Illuminated Blue and Yellow to Mark One-Year Anniversary of Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State landmarks will be lit blue and yellow on February 24, to mark the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Governor also directed the Ukrainian flag to be flown over the New York State Capitol building in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

"The State of New York stands with Ukraine and is proud to have the largest Ukrainian community in the United States," Governor Hochul said. "Our prayers go out to the victims of this unjust war, and tomorrow we will raise the Ukrainian flag and illuminate State landmarks to showcase New York's support for Ukraine on the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion."

The landmarks to be lit to mark the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine include:

• One World Trade Center
• Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
• Kosciuszko Bridge
• The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
• State Education Building
• Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
• Empire State Plaza
• State Fairgrounds - Main Gate & Expo Center
• Niagara Falls
• The "Franklin D. Roosevelt" Mid-Hudson Bridge
• Grand Central Terminal - Pershing Square Viaduct
• Albany International Airport Gateway
• The Lake Placid Olympic Center
• MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station
• Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
• Moynihan Train Hall

In early March 2022, Governor Hochul announced actions to strengthen the Department of Financial Services' enforcement of sanctions against Russia, including the expedited procurement of additional blockchain analytics technology. Last year, the Governor also launched a website with resources for Ukrainians and how New Yorkers can help.

More information regarding the actions State agencies have taken to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine can be found below:

Office of New Americans (ONA)

• ONA connects Ukrainian immigrants with professional pathways for job training and work opportunities through the Professional Pathways Program:
  • ONA's Professional Pathways Program provides high-skilled immigrants with professional training and job coaching to help new Americans find jobs that match their skills and experience. According to Upwardly Global, ONA's Professional Pathways for High-Skilled Immigrants program's lead agency, eight Ukrainian job seekers enrolled in this pilot program in 2022 and have received professional training and job coaching. Three of the participants are now alumni of the program and have secured jobs within their fields --two of these job seekers gained employment in the HR field (one as a Recruiter, and one as a HR Assistant) and the third in the legal field as a Bilingual Legal Assistant.
  • Last week, Governor Hochul announced the expansion of the Professional Pathways Program to provide a total of $4.38 million in state-funded grants to community-based providers over three years.
• The ONA Hotline has assisted hundreds with inquiries on Ukraine-related immigration-related matters:
  • Number of calls received on the ONA Hotline for Ukraine-related inquiries: 602
  • Number of immigration-related service referrals made (note: multiple referrals may result from one call): 767
  • Number of individuals provided with information: 239

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)

• In November, Governor Hochul announced that more than $21.4 million awarded to help Ukrainians who have fled their country as a result of Russia's military invasion to temporarily resettle in New York State. The funding will be utilized by 17 refugee services providers around the state to assist displaced Ukrainians now living in New York. An estimated 75,000 people have come to the U.S. from Ukraine since Russians launched their attack including approximately 14,000 in New York through the federal government's Uniting for Ukraine program.
• 28,000 New York residents, more than any other state, have volunteered to sponsor an individual.

Department of Financial Services (DFS):

To protect U.S. national security and consumers, DFS previously issued guidance within 24 hours of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, reiterating that regulated entities must fully comply with U.S. sanctions on Russia, as well as New York State and federal laws and regulations, including Department cybersecurity and virtual currency regulations. DFS also took action to strengthen the Department's enforcement of sanctions against Russia, including the expedited procurement of additional blockchain analytics technology. These tools have bolstered DFS's ability to detect exposure among DFS-licensed virtual currency businesses to Russian individuals, banks, and other entities that the Biden Administration has sanctioned.