Australia lights up national icon in solidarity with Ukraine

Feelings of helplessness and anger drove hundreds to gather in Sydney for a stirring display of solidarity with Ukraine.

Feelings of helplessness and anger drove hundreds to gather at Sydney’s Circular Quay on Tuesday night to protest escalating violence in Ukraine.

The sails of Opera House were again lit with the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag in a show of Australia’s solidarity with the country, and visited by political and community leaders.

Most in the crowd carried flags, wore Ukrainian colours or donned traditional dress.

Hundreds of Ukrainians gathered outside the Opera House to hear Australia’s political leaders speak on the conflict with Russia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Most in the large crowd carried flags, wore Ukrainian colours or donned traditional dress. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet addressed the crowd, saying while Australians may find it difficult to understand the cause of the conflict, the country strongly condemned Russia’s acts of aggression.

“Words and voices, symbolic gestures, these alone cannot stop armoured forces in their tracks,” Mr Perrottet said.

“But our words, our voices and our show of solidarity join a chorus that are reverberating around the world.”

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said while most Australians did not understand the cause of the conflict, the country opposed against Russia’s use of violence. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was also scheduled to attend the event but pulled out at the last minute.

Earlier in the day he announced Australia would commit over $100 million dollars in direct aid and arms for Ukraine.

The gathered crowd cheered in appreciation of Australia’s support and chanted, “Ukraine will prevail”.

Among the crowd were Ukrainian-Russian couple Eva and Igor who now live in Australia.

Igor said Monday had been the worst day of fighting so far, including indiscriminate shelling of civilian targets around the second largest city of Kharkiv.

Sydney’s Ukrainian community came together for the event (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

For many like them with ties to both countries, they said the conflict was like NSW going to war with Queensland.

“Nobody thought the war would happen. Not even my friends in Kyiv,” Igor said.

“There were reports that something was going on, but nobody really believed them.”

Both were fearful for Eva‘s parents who she hadn’t heard since trying to call them earlier in the day.

“We‘re thousands of kilometres from Ukraine and we can’t do anything,” she said.

“We just have sentiments like these to show out support.”

Many Ukrainians in Australia are gravely concerned for family members back home. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)