A peace vigil is to be held in Winchester as Russia continues its attempted invasion of Ukraine.

The vigil, which will be attended by representatives from Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group (SWVG), Winchester City of Sanctuary and Winchester City Council, will be held at Abbey Gardens at 6pm tomorrow evening (Tuesday, March 1), with all welcome.

People have been encouraged to bring banners, Ukrainian flags, candles and torches as organisers look to press the government into providing a safer route for Ukrainians who have been forced to flee their homeland.

Liberal Democrat and Winchester City councillor for St Bartholomew, Paula Ferguson, today announced the vigil on social media by tweeting a poster for the event, which said: "In light of recent developments in Ukraine, please join SWVG, Winchester City of Sanctuary and Winchester City Council representatives for a peace vigil, on Tuesday March 1 in Abbey Gardens in Winchester at 6pm.

"We welcome everyone to join us in our call for peace as we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and anyone seeking sanctuary."

William Brook-Hart of SWVG, said: "A short vigil will be held in Winchester to show our humanitarian support for the people of Ukraine and our willingness to help Ukrainians who need sanctuary.

"There is very widespread public support in Winchester for people who need sanctuary and we call on the government to do much more by providing visas, safe routes and decent facilities for them. 

"This event is organised by Winchester City of Sanctuary together with Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group (SWVG).

"Members of Winchester City Council will be there to show their support and people are invited to bring a banner, a Ukrainian flag, a candle or a torch."

City councillor John Tippett-Cooper said: “So many people in Winchester have expressed horror about what is happening in Ukraine. I’m grateful to Winchester City of Sanctuary and Southampton & Winchester Volunteers group for leading the Peace Vigil in Abbey Gardens tomorrow that hopefully gives an outlet for people to come together and express their solidarity with Ukrainians. 

"Winchester declared its intent to become a City of Sanctuary several weeks ago and this means we’ll be doing all we can as a city to support and welcome Ukrainian refugees when the time comes. It’s vital that the United Kingdom steps up to the plate and matches what our European neighbours are doing in offering a generous and well-resourced resettlement programme for Ukrainian refugees."

The explosions and gunfire that have disrupted life in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv since the start of the invasion appeared to subside overnight as the Kremlin’s military advances were slowed by an outgunned but determined resistance.

Ukraine’s embattled leader Volodymyr Zelensky has agreed to talks with Moscow, and Western nations plan to send arms and other supplies to the country’s defenders.

However, citing “aggressive statements” by Nato and tough financial sanctions, Vladimir Putin has dramatically escalated East-West tensions by ordering Russian nuclear forces to be put on high alert as the invasion of Ukraine continues.

A senior US defence official said the Russian leader is “potentially putting in play forces that, if there’s a miscalculation, could make things much, much more dangerous”.

Mr Putin’s directive came as Russian forces encountered strong opposition from Ukraine defenders.

Moscow has so far failed to win full control of Ukraine’s airspace, despite advances across the country. US officials say they believe the invasion has been more difficult, and slower, than the Kremlin envisioned, though that could change as Moscow adapts.

The conflict – seemingly more quiet overnight on Sunday than in previous nights – could evolve significantly if Russia gets military help from neighbouring Belarus, which is expected to send troops into Ukraine as soon as Monday, according to a senior American intelligence official.

The official said that whether Belarus enters the war depends on Ukraine-Russia talks set to take place in the coming days.

Amid the mounting pressure, Western nations said they would tighten sanctions and buy and deliver weapons for Ukraine, including Stinger missiles for shooting down helicopters and other aircrafts.

European countries will also supply fighter jets to Ukraine, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.

Meanwhile, more than 500,000 people have fled the country since the conflict began, according to UN high commissioner for refugees, Filippo Grandi.

The latest and still growing count had 281,000 people entering Poland, more than 84,500 in Hungary, about 36,400 in Moldova, over 32,500 in Romania and about 30,000 in Slovakia, UNHCR spokeswoman Shabia Mantoo said. The rest were scattered in unidentified other countries.

Another train carrying hundreds of refugees from Ukraine arrived early on Monday in the town of Przemysl in south-eastern Poland as citizens who aren't required to bear arms rush to flee the warzone.

Winchester City Council voted unanimously in January to support Winchester City of Sanctuary and to help refugees and people who are seeking asylum.