More than 100 people gathered at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Vernon Saturday to decry the unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
Earlier this week, Russian troops launched an all out assault on the democratic nation, on the orders of President Vladimir Putin.
The attack has been denounced by most of the world and rallies like the one in Vernon are popping up around the globe.
“It's a very scary time in our world I think when someone like Putin, who is a murderer, can go into a country and literally start killing innocent civilians,” said Andrea Malysh, rally organizer.
“People are dying, civilians are dying. That's called genocide. This is unacceptable.”
Malysh said the war in Ukraine has been ongoing for the past eight years and more than 13,000 people have died, but with the full on Russian offensive, many more will surely perish before it is over.
Malysh said there was some comfort in watching the world rally around the besieged nation.
“I am overwhelmed by the support not only locally, but across our country, across the world,” said Malysh. “But we need to do more to help them out...we need boots on the ground.”
Following the rally, a prayer service was held in the church where people were also encouraged to light a candle in solidarity with Ukraine.
