HUNDREDS of people attended a vigil in Winchester this evening in support of Ukraine as the Russian military continues its attacks on the country.
The vigil was held in Abbey Gardens from 6pm to 7pm and had a large turnout of around 300 people despite the cold weather.
Banners and posters which read "Winchester stands with Ukraine" were passed around attendees, along with candles as rain poured throughout the evening.
The event had been organised by Southampton & Winchester Visitors Group and Winchester City of Sanctuary. It saw speeches from the groups and John Harding, whose son Luke Harding is a Guardian journalist in Ukraine.
The event attracted people from a wide range of backgrounds who felt compelled to show how much they care.
Winchester resident Nicky Flanagan, 61, said: "I'm feeling heartbroken by the situation. I don't have any connections to Ukraine but I can't believe what's happening in the world and I feel really helpless."
Philip Glassborow, 71, said: "I feel passionately that we should be pursuing peace and there's so little we can do but hopefully something like this will show somebody somewhere that we care. It's a terrifying situation that is escalating very rapidly."
Michael Bennett, 72, said: "War is outrageous. It's difficult to know what to do, but showing support is the least we can do. There aren't any easy answers but what is happening to Ukraine is appalling and clearly a lot of children and families are being killed and people are suffering. It's absolutely having an impact on me. It's one of the worst things I've observed."
Russian forces launched attacks on civilian sites in Kyiv today where a TV tower and the city's Babi Yar Holocaust Memorial where at least five people were killed.
Bella Fuchs, from Prague, showed her support for Ukraine during the vigil. She said: "It's very disturbing. It's unbelievable. We have an apartment in Prague and we are volunteering refugees. I'm scared he will use nuclear power. That's the limit. That's red red line."
Winchester city council councillor John Tippett-Cooper said: "Today the whole of Winchester has been absolutely horrified by what is happening in Ukraine. We want to show Winchester is a place of solidarity with Ukraine. We're thinking of them and we find what is happening to them absolutely awful. This is a community expression of that."
Canon Tess Kuin Lawton, from Winchester Cathedral, said: "When I heard about this I thought it was something we really needed to support. We have been praying in the Cathedral for Ukraine for some time and this felt like a positive action.
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"It's hard to put into words. It's something we hoped no person would ever do but it's hard to find the words. It's having an impact on me. It's the last thing you think about when you go to bed at night and the first thing you think about when you wake up in the morning. You find yourself feeling incredibly helpless and desperate to do something."
The event was just one of many happening across the country.
Thousands of people have been moved by the situation and have set up donation banks in order to take supplies to refugees.
Councils, such as Hampshire County Council, have also spoken out in solidarity with Ukraine.
Council leader Keith Mans said: “As the world watches events unfold further in Ukraine, across Hampshire we all send our thoughts and prayers to the Ukrainian people, including those who are living in Hampshire.
"None of us would have expected to have seen such hostilities in Europe in these modern times, and we condemn the attacks on Ukraine’s innocent citizens.
“Hampshire County Council, in common with the rest of the country, is watching the concerning situation in Ukraine and stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and communities affected by this conflict.
"Should Government seek our support, we will assist as needed - building on our experience of supporting refugees and evacuees from previous conflicts.”
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