Candlelight vigil at Vernon City Hall to mark 365 days of Ukrainian resistance to Russia's invasion

Photo: Jon Manchester

To mark a full year of war in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress will hold a candlelight vigil outside Vernon City Hall on Feb. 24.

The vigil begins at 5 p.m., and all are welcome to show their solidarity.

Feb. 24 will mark one year since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"For the past year, the heroic Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Ukrainian people have stood united in defence of freedom in Europe in the face of Russia's genocidal onslaught," says congress president Alexandra Chyczij.

"The courage and determination of the Ukrainian people inspire the world. To mark 365 days of Ukraine's resistance against Russia's war please join us ... to show that all Canadians Stand With Ukraine!"

The Ukrainian Canadian community is organizing events across Canada to pay tribute to the courage of the Ukrainian people and honour the thousands killed.

Thompson-Okanagan president Andrea Malysh says locals are encouraged to bring flags and candles.

"We will have a short ceremony of speeches, along with the singing of the Ukrainian national anthem and a moment of silence," says Malysh.

The congress expressed gratitude to Canada for its assistance to humanitarian causes in support of Ukraine and for welcoming more than 100,000 Ukrainians who have sought refuge from the war.

Photo: Contributed