A recent Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro this week hit close to home for many in Moncton.

Around 80 Ukrainians showed their support at a peaceful rally held in front of Moncton City hall.

Ukrainian Association of Moncton President Nataliia Haidash says the attack destroyed the block around a nine-storey apartment, “I know the neighbourhood well where the missiles hit and I have lots of friends who were close to that building. Seeing how devastating it is, it is very, very hard.”

At least 14 people were killed, but Haidash says rescue efforts are still underway and crews are still going through the rubble.  The number of deaths is expected to rise.

“There are over 1000 Ukrainians right now in the Greater Moncton area. About 800 arrived since the beginning of the war and the numbers are growing literally every week,” Haidash says.

She adds gathering the community together for a rally to bring awareness to the war in Ukraine was the least they could do to show solidarity with the people in their homeland.