Ukrainians Of Colorado Hold Rally As Russia's Invasion Spreads

DENVER, CO — The Ukrainians of Colorado group plans to brave the frigid Denver temperatures Thursday to host a rally in condemnation of Russia's attack on Ukraine.

"We have to stand for Ukraine!" the group said on its Facebook event announcement. "We have to stop the war in Ukraine!"

The rally is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Colorado State Capitol.

Russia's wide-ranging invasion of Ukraine started Thursday. Ukraine's government said Russian tanks and troops rolled across the border in a "full-scale war" that could rewrite the geopolitical order and whose fallout already reverberated around the world.

At least 40 people have been killed so far.

As civilians piled into trains and cars to flee, NATO and European leaders rushed to respond, if not directly in Ukraine, with strong financial sanctions against Russia and moves to strengthen their own borders.

President Joe Biden pledged new sanctions to punish Russia for the "unprovoked and unjustified attack." The president said he planned to speak to Americans on Thursday after a meeting of the Group of Seven leaders. More sanctions against Russia were expected to be announced.

Putin "has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering," Biden said.

Reporting from The Associated Press was used in this article.