On Friday, Feb. 24, people will gather at Langley害羞草研究所檚 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 害羞草研究所渁 chance for people in the community to come together in solidarity.害羞草研究所�

It is one of several 害羞草研究所満π卟菅芯克鶟 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 害羞草研究所渦nprovoked and ferocious war害羞草研究所� and 害羞草研究所渁n evil unseen in Europe害羞草研究所� since the Second World War.

害羞草研究所淭he resources of the free world must be marshalled in the defence of Ukraine害羞草研究所檚 liberty,害羞草研究所� Chyczij said.

害羞草研究所淚f Putin succeeds with his assault on Ukraine, the light of freedom in Europe may be extinguished for a generation.害羞草研究所�

According to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner, 18,955 civilian casualties were confirmed in Ukraine as of Feb. 13 害羞草研究所� 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