Watch: Candlelight vigil honours lives lost in Ukraine

• Dozens gathered outside Ukrainian Orthodox Church
• Vigil shined a light on children casualties

Eugene Stefaniuk wants to ask Russian president Vladimir Putin what the countless children in Ukraine did, that his invading forces had to kill them.

“What did those three, four, five-year old’s do to him?” he told Kelowna10. “I want an answer.”

Stefaniuk was one of dozens who gathered outside the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Saturday evening for a candlelight vigil recognizing those who have died in the war raging in eastern Europe.

Attendees were armed with a candle, raising it at one point for a moment of silence as church bells rung out.

Stefaniuk urged those on the front line to not give up, be strong, and “fight like the Cossacks.”

Daniel Sora moved to Canada from Ukraine eight years ago. His parents and relatives remain in the country. He tries to keep in regular contact with them and said the outpouring of support from here and around the world keeps them strong.

“It’s important to understand what happens in Ukraine and how many people died, civilian people. It’s unbelievable. It’s horrible,” he said.

President of Kelowna Stands with Ukraine, Denys Storozhuk, said the vigil is important as beyond the frontline fighting, understanding the size of the human tragedy and keeping memories alive is crucial.

His organization has played an instrumental role in rallying local support while providing targeted help to cities and territorial defence forces in Ukraine.

The vigil was pieced together in just a few short days and an invitation to the local Russian community was made, too.

“We try to untie everybody. Victims are victims, it doesn’t matter who’s fighting for what,” Storozhuk said. “We try to make this event without apologies.”

The vigil included prayers, as well as heartbreaking stories of loss in Europe. Photos and videos of Sunday’s vigil will be sent overseas.

“I’ve been reached by many people from Ukraine, they are so encouraged to see the support from half a world away,” Storozhuk said. “They said specifically to me, ‘without you, we would not stand. We would not survive what’s happening.’”