Hundreds gather to support Ukraine in London, Ont. Sunday

Crowds gathered at Victoria Park by the hundreds Sunday carrying placards and Ukrainian flags, dressed in yellow and blue and singing the Canadian and Ukrainian national anthems, in protest of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.  

Similar demonstrations were held across Canada and around the world this past weekend, with Sunday marking the fourth day of Russia's wide-ranging invasion.

The ongoing attack has world leaders condemning Russia and has triggered a raft of sanctions, including those imposed by Canada. Ottawa has also closed the country's airspace to Russian planes.

"It's very important because we have to share the awareness of what is happening there," said Volodymyr Vorobets, the organizer of the rally and the London Ukrainian Centre president.

"Besides the news and besides the screens that people have been glued to for the last couple of days, people will see that there are a lot of Ukrainians in this city." 

According to the most recent census there are 1.3 million Ukrainians in Canada, and 10,000 of them are in London.  

Olha Tymoshchuk is living in London but her family is in Ukraine. 

"My parents are not safe right now. There is a war in our country. Sorry," said Tymoshchuk, who had to hold back tears.

After a moment, she continued, "And I support Ukraine. I support our army. I know that it won't last long because our country is strong. Our army, they're heroes."

Both Tymoshchuk and others at the demonstration said they are finding it difficult being in Canada away from their family during the conflict, watching from afar. 

"I do not sleep," said Tymoshchuk. "I sleep every day, like three hours or so because I'm constantly checking the news. I'm constantly texting my parents, calling them, texting my friends who are there."

Volodymyr Komarov is also worried about his parents, who are in hiding now, since he said his village, near Zaporizhia, is being taken by the Russian army. 

"Our families are under Russian siege right now and they cannot get out," said Komarov. "So, first of all, we need to win the war and then when it is safe, we can get our families out."

Others at the demonstration were not Ukrainian but said they can came as allies. Vehicles passing the corner of Central Ave. and Richmond Street honked their horns in support.