Oyster Bay Town Hall Illuminated In Ukraine's Colors: ICYMI

Editor's note: This article was originally published on Wednesday, March 16, 2022.

OYSTER BAY, NY — To show support for war-torn Ukraine, officials in the Town of Oyster Bay are illuminating Town Hall in the European country's yellow and blue colors.

In a statement Wednesday, Town officials said the lights are a sign of solidarity with the Ukrainians as they fend off Russia's invasion.

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine late last month, unleashing airstrikes on cities and military bases and sending troops and tanks from multiple directions in a move that could rewrite the world's geopolitical landscape.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin, who risks turning his country into an international pariah, said he authorized the pre-dawn attacks to protect people who have been "subjected to bullying and genocide" in Ukraine.

The West has dismissed Russia's accusations, with President Joe Biden calling them "baseless claims."

"Putin is the aggressor," Biden previously said. "Putin chose this war."

Leaders around the globe say Putin is attempting to redraw the map of Europe and resurrect the country's Cold War influence.

More than 1.5 million refugees have fled Ukraine since Russia launched an unprovoked attack on its European neighbor. UN refugee agency commissioner Filippo Grandi recently called it "the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II."

Like other communities across the globe, the Town of Oyster Bay is coordinating efforts to help Ukraine. Through March 25, residents can donate medical supplies, personal hygiene products, and non-perishable food to the Town of Oyster Bay's Humanitarian Relief Drive.

Donations can be brought to Town Hall North (54 Audrey Ave. in Oyster Bay), Town Hall South (977 Hicksville Rd. in Massapequa), or the Town Ice Skating Center (1001 Stewart Ave. in Bethpage) from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Town officials say residents can also make monetary donations online by visiting http://pomagam.pl/f7fpmf or https://support.crs.org/donate/donate-ukraine.