Sheffield City Council say they stand with Ukraine
The city is twinned with Donetsk in Ukraine
As Russian troops edge closer the Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, Sheffield city councillors have today said their "hearts are breaking" for people in the country.
Sheffield is twinned with Donetsk, and the council are calling on world leaders to do all they can to help.
Today Cllr Terry Fox, Cllr Douglas Johnson and Cllr Shaffaq Mohammed have issued this statement in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine;
"We have all been deeply troubled by what is happening in Ukraine and our hearts are breaking for the people who are having to flee to safety, say goodbye to their loved ones and face a future that they could never have imagined.
"For many years Sheffield has been twinned with the city of Donetsk in Ukraine and we have a well established Ukrainian community in our city. We stand with them and against the bullying tactics of the Russian State and the unimaginable military aggression that Ukraine is now facing.
"We also stand with the many Russians who have made our city their home and those in Russia who are standing up for what is right and making their voices heard against their own Government.
"Sheffield is a city of sanctuary, we are proud of that fact and our city is open to those who need a safe place in their time of need. We call on our world leaders to do all that they can to ensure we all live in peace and we look forward to living in a more tolerant and respectful world.
The Town Hall will be lit in the colours of Ukraine this evening, this gesture is to show our support and to show the people of Ukraine that here in Sheffield we will do all we can to be a light in the darkness."