Huge crowds have gathered in a Kent high street this afternoon to protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

More than 150 people - among them many young Ukrainians - have descended on Canterbury city centre to show their support for those valiantly resisting Vladimir Putin's forces.

Despite the rain, impressive numbers have turned out in Rose Lane for the event, which has been organised by Stand With Ukraine Canterbury.

Placards and banners emblazoned with slogans including 'Unite against war' and 'Pray for Ukraine' are being waved by those present.

Among them is Kseniia Pidlisna, a Ukrainian studying for a PhD at the University of Kent.

Draped in a Ukrainian flag and fighting back tears, she told of her fears for her relatives back home.

"My family in Ukraine are terrified," she said. "They are scared for their lives, they are scared for their country. We are scared to lose our country.

"I am a Ukrainian studying in England and I want to go home to visit, and I'm worried I will have no country to go back to.

"Please, stop the war.

"My cousin is very sick and she can't get treatment because hospitals are being bombed. My family is scared to the point that they don't know whether to go to sleep wearing pyjamas, or clothes to be able to run away.

"We're just scared that anything could happen at any second."

Friends Anastasia Ioakeim and Maria Ayiomamitou, who are half-Ukrainian and half-Cypriot, have joined the protest together.

Anastasia said: "My grandparents are in Kyiv and I have some of my mum's friends there, who I grew up with.

"They're currently hiding in their apartments. We tried to get them to fly to Cyrpus to be with us, but they wanted to stay there.

"They're just waiting."

Maria, who was born in Kyiv and grew up in Cyprus, describes the situation as "heartbreaking".

"There's too much anxiety, too much stress, too much fear about our families, our friends," she said.

Polina Bishenden, a PhD student at the University of Kent, who is half-Russian and half-British, hit out at Putin's actions.

“This is horror, this is war, and Russian people need to hear it," she said.

“Russian people need to hear that their media is propaganda, it’s lies - you should see what is written on the Russian news and what is being said every single day.

“We have friends in Ukraine and families across borders.

"Ukrainian people know what they want for their country.

“We know this and we need to support them and end this war.

“There are children dying, citizens being struck constantly - it’s serious, it’s a war. There is no justification at all.

“Anyone who is looking for a justification is so misguided - it’s a war.”

Passersby have stopped in their tracks to listen to the crowds chant: "Glory to Ukraine, glory to the heroes, stop Russian aggression."

Many are showing their support, with one UberEats cyclist freewheeling past with a fist raised in solidarity.

Misha Zialyk, a 19-year-old Ukrainian who is studying international business at the University of Kent, has given his support to those fighting back against Russian attacks.

"I want to say to the Ukrainian army and nationals 'you’re the most powerful nation in the world'," he said.

“I appreciate your support and how you stay brave. It’s unreal, and I’m standing with you together.

“I want to say glory to Ukraine and to our heroes.”

Professor Elena Korosteleva, a Belarussian national who teaches politics at the University of Kent, says she joined the demonstration to "make sure Belarussians are standing with Ukraine".

The protest is taking place on the sixth day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has seen attacks stepped up on the cultural heart of Ukraine's second city, Kharkiv.

An opera house, concert hall and government offices have been hit by missiles and rockets in the centre of the north-eastern city, which has been bombed heavily for days now.

Ukraine's government accuses Russia of trying to lay siege to Kharkiv and other cities, including the capital Kyiv, where a huge Russian armoured convoy is approaching.

Today, KentOnline has told how Ukrainians living in Kent are mobilising to help support the fierce resistance being shown in the face of the Russian invasion.