![Ukrainian Americans and supporters of Ukraine rally](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d2641a5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5513x3674+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4e%2Fa9%2Ff19212594d408497cc851992f321%2F922964-me-0226-ukranian-americans-protest-invasion-gem-012.jpg)
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In Westwood, Ukrainian flags flapped in the breeze as drivers along Santa Monica and Sepulveda boulevards honked in support of dozens of demonstrators who had gathered there, waving signs and chanting “Save Ukraine” and “Glory to Ukraine.”
Demonstrators marched and have staged vigils across California on Sunday to protest the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many expressing fear for friends and family in the war-torn country 6,000 miles away.
Waving signs that said “Stop Putin,” about 100 Ukrainian Americans and Russian Americans opposed to the invasion kicked things off about 10 a.m. with a march through Hollywood. Residents of apartment buildings along Hollywood Boulevard waved and shouted messages of support from their balconies to the group, which included several families with young children.
“Putin doesn’t speak for us,” said Erina Volodartseva, 32, who is Russian and brought along her children, ages 6 and 4. “We are against the war. Ukraine is our brother.”
![Demonstrators protest the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the intersection of Sepulveda Blvd. and Santa Monica Avenue](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f22112c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2400x1600+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F67%2F04%2Fe0055dd54e4b937ba3fab2f3d520%2F922756-me-0226-ukranian-protest-020-ik.jpg)
In basements in Kyiv, Ukraine, civilians mix Molotov cocktails and otherwise prepare to fend off Russia’s invasion.
![Demonstrators protest the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the intersection of Sepulveda Blvd. and Santa Monica Avenue](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/dfd839f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2400x1600+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa3%2Fc7%2F727c0a824c2a9de6b8933ea5f174%2F922756-me-0226-ukranian-protest-013-ik.jpg)
![Kseniia Korniienk demonstrates along with over 100 members of the Ukranian community at the Federal Building in Westwood](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e6ee8d5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6720x4480+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcc%2F4e%2Fe6a118d54cc59e72251ac5350600%2F921831-me-ukraine-protest-01-fo.jpg)
A woman reacts as she stands in front of a house burning after being shelled in the city of Irpin.
![Demonstrators walk past a homeless encampment as they demonstrated their opposition to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a428fb1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6720x4480+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3b%2F55%2F050c505640f39908b0b350f54966%2F923004-me-ukrainian-americans-protest-invasion-03-fo.jpg)
![A protester at a rally denounces Russia's invasion of Ukraine near the Santa Monica Pier along Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0f57d46/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6720x4480+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F39%2F20deeb4e49e1a8aae7b64ccd3c07%2F922473-me-0225-ukraine-rally-santa-monica-gem-008.jpg)
First Russia-Ukraine talks end without progress on halting the war. More nations aim to isolate Putin as half a million refugees pour into Europe.
![Ukranian Americans protest Russian invasion of their homeland on Feb. 26 in Los Angeles](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/eeb3f99/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2400x1600+0+0/resize/2000x1333!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F95%2F2e%2Fb2c984034207ad5a99e63dc41943%2F922756-me-0226-ukranian-protest-007-ik.jpg)
![Hundreds of Ukrainian Americans and supporters of Ukraine rally to denounce Russia's invasion in Westwood on Feb. 26.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/26b189a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5808x3641+0+0/resize/2000x1254!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc2%2F71%2Fc89d6afe45cdb7c78f2c74a506dc%2F923004-me-ukrainian-americans-protest-invasion-04-fo.jpg)
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