On Friday, Feb. 24, people will gather at LangleyB次元官网网址檚 Derek Doubleday Arboretum for a 6 p.m. candlelight vigil to mark the one-year-anniversary of the war in Ukraine.

Former Langley City Mayor Val van den Broek, one of the organizers, called it B次元官网网址渁 chance for people in the community to come together in solidarity.B次元官网网址�

It is one of several B次元官网网址淏次元官网网址� events taking place across Canada that day, including B.C. events in Vancouver, Victoria, Comox, Kelowna, Prince George and Vernon, as well as Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and several other Canadian cities.

Russian president Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine on Feb. 23, 2022.

In announcing the vigils, Alexandra Chyczij, national president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) called the invasion an B次元官网网址渦nprovoked and ferocious warB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址渁n evil unseen in EuropeB次元官网网址� since the Second World War.

B次元官网网址淭he resources of the free world must be marshalled in the defence of UkraineB次元官网网址檚 liberty,B次元官网网址� Chyczij said.

B次元官网网址淚f Putin succeeds with his assault on Ukraine, the light of freedom in Europe may be extinguished for a generation.B次元官网网址�

According to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner, 18,955 civilian casualties were confirmed in Ukraine as of Feb. 13 B次元官网网址� 7,199 killed and 11,756 injured. The actual figures are believed to be considerably higher.

Over the last year, Canada has dedicated more than $5 billion to supporting Ukraine, including more than $1.2 billion in military assistance.

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- with files from Canadian Press