More than 50 people flanked Route 101 in Dublin on Sunday to mark three years since Ukraine was invaded by Russia and to show support for the beleaguered nation.

People also held signs encouraging support for democracy at the rotary on Route 101 in town. 

“This is a perilous moment,” said Balmeet Lasky of Dublin, referring to Ukraine’s struggle against Russia. “As news cycles change, it becomes something people are less aware of.”

Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, seeking to conquer a nation that was once part of the former Soviet Union. The United States estimates that over the past three years, 307,000 Ukrainian forces have been killed or wounded in the conflict and that 700,000 Russian troops have also been killed or wounded. 

Nina Anderson of Dublin, whose Ukrainian maiden name was Sacharuk, waved Ukrainian and American flags to passing vehicles in the early afternoon. 

“My parents were born in Ukraine and were displaced – by Russia and the Nazis,” she said. 

Abhai Raj handed out cups of cocoa during the event. Raj conducts a weekly meditation session online with people in Ukraine, including one attendee who is a commander in the nation’s forces. 

Chick Colony of Harrisville held a sign criticizing Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and called him “The world’s biggest enemy.”

A number of signs also expressed support for democracy. Archie McIntyre, who with his wife Nina and Dublin Community Church Pastor Traceymay Kalvaitis, helped organize the event, held a sign supporting democracy. He explained that he wanted to “make it clear that some of us don’t agree with what is happening now,” adding that recent dismissals of high-ranking military officials in Washington were troubling.

Kalvaitis emphasized that the gathering was a result of “we the people” rather than any particular individuals. Asked why at this point in history the world continues to find peace elusive, she offered several reasons.

“There’s a lack of curiosity about other peoples’ stories, plus we’re frequently told who the enemy is, and finally, there’s a lack of community engagement,” she said. 

Kalvaitis added that she hopes that the vigil will become a recurring event focusing on similar matters of social importance.