Ottawa rally marks third anniversary of Russia-Ukraine war

Ottawa’s local Ukrainian community marked three years since Russia’s full-scale invasion on Sunday. CTV’s Katelyn Wilson reports.

Ottawa is marked the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with a rally on Parliament Hill as part of a global day of action.

“We’re here to honour those who have been killed. We’re here to remember those who are suffering and to stand with Ukraine to show that they have support around the world,” said Ihor Michalchyshyn with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

Hundreds stood in solidarity wrapped in flags and holding signs, including 19-year-old Mykyta Zakharchenko, one of the millions who fled the war and now call Canada home.

“I came to Canada by myself when I was just 16-years-old all of the responsibility was on me for my family, for myself. From this day on, all the responsibility was on me,” he said.

Other major cities across the country held similar rallies including Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary, Halifax and Vancouver.

The rally comes as Ukrainian officials say Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones overnight, in what is being described as one of the biggest attacks since the start of the war.

The United Nations estimates at least 12, 654 civilians have been killed and more than 29,000 injured since Feb. 24, 2022, the day Russia launched its invasion.

Talks of ending the war have recently ramped up, as Russia and the United States plan to meet again this week, sparking concerns from Ukrainian officials.

“It’s our land it’s our nation and we are fighting in front of a big terroristic state at the same time we are not at the table to do these discussions,” said Ksenaia Zubriy, a Ukrainian refugee.