To show their support and solidarity for the people of Ukraine on the second anniversary of Russia’s 2022 invasion, hundreds of people gathered in Times Square for a rally Saturday.

Chants of “Stand with Ukraine!” and “Russia is a terrorist state!” were uttered several times at the rally. 

Some people even lay on the ground as they remembered all of the Ukrainians who have died in the war.

“I feel devastated, I’m sad, disgusted by the acts that Russia is doing right now in Ukraine,” said Volodymyr Spektor of Bay Ridge.

Spektor left his home country of Ukraine in 2014. He and his fiancé Anastasiia Semykina told NY1 that they initially thought the war with Russia would last just a few weeks.

They also said the second anniversary of the war hits especially close to home, since Semykina’s father was drafted to fight for Ukraine in February of last year.

“It’s been the toughest year of my life,” Semykina said. “But I spoke with him today, and he says everything is fine! Everything is ok. He gives me hope. All I can feel is just how proud I am for my father for the fact that I’m Ukrainian, for the fact that we actually decide what side we can choose.”

And while she believes her country will prevail over Russia, she hopes the show of solidarity in Times Square will encourage more countries to help Ukraine with its war effort.

“Our fight for freedoms is very complicated,” Semykina said. “That’s why we’re here today. We need support from the United States. We need to pass the bill. We need the help. We need the help to arm Ukraine. We certainly believe we are fighting for the democracy of this free world!”

Earlier Saturday, Mayor Eric Adams observed the anniversary of the war by raising a flag for Ukraine at a ceremony in lower Manhattan.

Since the start of the war, the United States has sent more than $66 billion to aid Ukraine, dividing Congress on how much should be spent to help the war-torn country.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer marked the anniversary by visiting Ukraine and by saying the U.S. would push hard to get them additional aid.

While the exact number is not clear, U.S. officials estimate more than 500,000 troops and civilians on both sides have been killed as a result of the war.