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'My heart is broken': Vancouverites react to full-scale invasion of Ukraine (PHOTOS & VIDEO)

A rally has been organized in Vancouver.
ukraine-protest-vancouver
The Ukrainian community will gather outside of the Vancouver Art Gallery on February 26, 2022, to show support for Ukraine following Russia's invasion.

The Ukrainian community and its supporters will gather outside of the Vancouver Art Gallery this weekend to show support for Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion of the country. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin ignored global condemnation and cascading new sanctions as he unleashed the largest ground war in Europe since World War II, and chillingly referred to his country’s nuclear arsenal. He threatened any country trying to interfere with “consequences you have never seen.”

Hundreds of members of the Ukrainian community held rallies in Vancouver and in the B.C. legislature this week to show solidarity.  Another event is planned for this Saturday (Feb. 26) at the Vancouver Art Gallery at 1 p.m. 

Rally organizers Pavlo Ponikarovskyi and Natalie Jatskevich write on the Facebook event page that Ukrainians are "losing their homes, savings, assets, and most importantly - their lives" and people must make it clear to leaders across the globe that "war is unacceptable."

"It is our duty as people of this city to show support and stand in a united front against Russian invasion and annexation of a sovereign state," reads the post. "If Russia can be free to annex territories today, and go unpunished, who knows if your country is next?"

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress BC Provincial Council and Vancouver Branch are issuing a B.C. and Vancouver-wide call to action to action this weekend to continue its "Stand With Ukraine" campaign.

The Vancouver-based Ukrainian Society of Ivan Franko adds that supporters and the local Ukrainian community want to show solidarity during a time when the "Ukrainian people face a grave threat." 

The group invites supporters to have their "Ukrainian and Canadian flags ready, as well as vyshyvankas and self-made posters" at car rallies around the city, too. 

The Canada-Ukraine Foundation has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the humanitarian effort overseas. However, the fundraiser is currently paused and under review. 

Stand with Ukraine against Russian Invasion - Vancouver Anti-War Rally

When: Saturday (Feb. 26) at 1 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery | 750 Hornby St.

You can find out more about the rally online

With files from the Associated Press.