As the Russian invasion of Ukraine stretched into its second week, Dauphin residents were provided an opportunity to show their support for the country at an evening rally at city hall, Mar. 2.

And the demand exceeded organizers hopes with somewhere between 250 and 300 people coming together in solidarity with Ukraine and its people.

“This is not only a war of occupation, but a war to annihilate Ukrainian people and Ukraine as a country,” Alia Marcinkow, one of the rally organizers told the crowd. “Since 2014, with the annexation of Crimea and the war in Donbas, Ukraine has become stronger as a nation, foiling the plans of Putin to own eastern and southern Ukraine. Ukraine’s resolve has created a strong sense of nationality, as well as created well trained volunteers and produced a strong professional army.”

In order to break that spirit, Marcinkow said, Russia has been targetting civilians through bombing, rocket strikes and air attacks throughout the country.

Get the full story in this week's Dauphin Herald!