Hundreds of people gathered at Christchurch’s Cathedral Square, to protest over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Protestor Liza Khorozova was at the protest and said her heart was with the Ukrainian people.

“I am from Ukraine, I was born there and I immigrated here, and I’m showing my support because I feel so helpless being all the way in New Zealand.”

“I’m urging all politicians, government officials, to do more than just sanctions because it’s not enough. If we don’t stop Mr Putin now, world War three will happen.”

And it’s not just Ukraine that’s going to be in danger, it’s the whole population. It’s the whole world.”

Khorozova often speaks to her grandma on video chat.

“You can just see it in the background, all the fires or explosions, you can hear the sirens and it’s just so real.”

“Five days ago, you would have asked me, what’s the situation in Ukraine? And no one would have believed that it would escalate to this.