Hundreds gather in downtown Toronto to mark 4th anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

A rally was held at Nathan Phillips Square to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Allison Hurst reports.

Hundreds of people filled Nathan Philipps Square on Sunday afternoon for a rally in advance of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Among them was Mariia Shypilova, clutching a photo of volunteer Maryna Vorontsova, who was killed in the war after joining the armed forces in 2025.

“Maryna was a medic. She was a mother,” Shypilova told CTV News Toronto.

“But what she said, she always said, ‘I am where I must be, where I should be. This is my country and I will fight for it’.”

Shypilova is from the heavily embattled city of Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine.

Her parents are still there and her brother has been fighting for years in the war.

“I want to tell the world and to Canada who supports us very much and we appreciate it, is that Ukraine is not going to give up. We are going to stand strong,” she said.

Four years ago, Ukraine was only expected to be able to hold off Russians for a few days, and still, even just overnight, the onslaught of attacks continue.

“I was there. I saw it, so different. It’s so depressing and ya it’s another world. It’s really important to be here,” said one person at the rally.

“Without the support here, Ukraine cannot survive. Ukraine relies on support from people from all over the world,” added another.

Many find comfort in coming together, showing strength and support for those still fighting, while remembering everyone who gave their lives.

“The fight in Ukraine is to hold off Russia, not only from Ukraine but hold them off from attacking other countries in Europe,” said Marc Shwec, chair of the Stand With Ukraine committee.

“Should Ukraine fall, others will fail. It’ll cost Canadians a lot more later on if we don’t stop Russia right now.”

Messages of ongoing support were also shared from all levels of government at today’s demonstration.

“Since this war began we have donated 17 vehicles and eight generators to our sister city, Kyiv. We had done it before and we will keep doing it for as long as it takes,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford noted that here are 350,000 Ukrainians from Ukraine and of Ukrainian descent in Ontario.

“We’ve welcomed over 150,000 Ukrainian refugees and I welcome more. As many as we can take we will welcome with open arms,” he said.

Federal Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre said his party supports Ukraine.

“Conservatives called on the government which agreed to hand over 40,000 CRV seven missiles, which the Ukrainian military has now put into use fighting against Putin. We supported the financial support and the crippling sanctions that need to go even further,” he said.

The official anniversary of the full-scale invasion is Tuesday.

Rallies like the one that took place today in downtown Toronto happened in cities across the country on Sunday, as well as candlelight vigils to mark four years since the invasion.