On Friday, Feb. 24, people will gather at Langley鈥檚 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 鈥渁 chance for people in the community to come together in solidarity.鈥�

It is one of several 鈥溾�� events taking place across Canada that day, including B.C. events in Vancouver, Victoria, Comox, 琉璃神社, 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 鈥渦nprovoked and ferocious war鈥� and 鈥渁n evil unseen in Europe鈥� since the Second World War.

鈥淭he resources of the free world must be marshalled in the defence of Ukraine鈥檚 liberty,鈥� Chyczij said.

鈥淚f Putin succeeds with his assault on Ukraine, the light of freedom in Europe may be extinguished for a generation.鈥�

According to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner, 18,955 civilian casualties were confirmed in Ukraine as of Feb. 13 鈥� 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