Exeter vigil in support of Ukraine

Non-political peaceful event

On the day that Russia's President Putin put his nuclear arsenal on 'special alert' as his attack on Ukraine continued, hundreds of people attended a vigil in Exeter in support of the people of Ukraine.

The event on Sunday morning was organised by Exeter City Council Leader Phil Bialyk, whose father was Ukrainian and who still has family the country.

The "Exeter Stands with Ukraine" at Bedford Square in the city centre was also attended by the city's MP, Ben Bradshaw.

Cllr Bialyk organised and attended the vigil on a personal basis, saying it was a non-political event to show solidarity with those facing a humanitarian crisis.

Mr Bradshaw made an impassioned pleas to Russian President Putin to stop his attacks on Ukraine.

And Cllr Bialyk said: “We have been in constant contact with our family in Ukraine, and all are safe for the moment.

“Many of us have families in the Ukraine, and we are concerned about what is happening."

He said he hoped the vigil would reach all people who wished for peace and a way in which people in Exeter could demonstrate their support for Ukraine.