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Haunting video captures 'desparation' in Ukraine as group prays on cold street amid Russia's attack

While President Joe Biden warned about holding Russia accountable, a video of Ukrainian residents praying in Kharkiv's town square went viral

After Russia started its invasion of Ukraine, a video of Ukrainian residents praying in Kharkiv's town square went viral. The video was uploaded by CNN's Natasha Bertrand on Twitter. Clarissa Ward, a CNN correspondent, caught the scene on camera during a broadcast. The video was viewed over 887.5k times as of now. The camera zoomed in on a group of people kneeling in a circle, with one guy standing nearby, apparently praying. Ward revealed what she and her camera team were observing after being introduced by CNN anchor Don Lemon. She said, "I think this really speaks to the desperation of this moment. We just see a small group of people and I hope you can see them on our shot here.” 

Ward went on to explain, "A small group of people has gathered in the town square and they are kneeling and praying. [This is] because right now there is truly a sense of having no idea what is coming down the pipeline, what is in store for the people of Ukraine in the coming hours, in the coming days. It is freezing cold here, so to see these people here kneeling here on the cold stone, in prayer, is honestly very moving. I think it speaks to the state of ordinary Ukrainians here. [They] have done absolutely nothing to deserve this. They have no quarrel with Russia."

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The Russian inavsion has been received with outrage from foreign leaders, including US President Joe Biden. Biden tweeted, "Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable.” 

He also added in another tweet, “I spoke with the G7 leaders today, and we are in full agreement: We will limit Russia’s ability to be part of the global economy. We will stunt their ability to finance and grow Russia’s military. We will impair their ability to compete in a high-tech, 21st-century economy.” Biden also remarked in his tweet, “The next few days, weeks, and months will be hard on the people of Ukraine. Putin has unleashed a great pain on them. But the Ukrainian people have known 30 years of independence — and they have shown that they will not tolerate anyone who tries to take their country backward.” 

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a "special military operation" in Ukraine, and Russian soldiers have entered the nation. According to CNN, Putin advised Ukraine's soldiers to lay down their arms and return home.  He stated, "we urge you to lay down arms immediately and go home. I will explain, all servicemen of the Ukrainian army who comply with this requirement, can freely leave the area of military actions and return to their families." Putin also issued a warning to any nation that would resist military action by the Russians by adding "we are ready for any outcome."

People on social media who watched the heartbreaking image come out of Ukraine also extended their sympathies and expressed worry about the situation. One wrote: "Thoughts and prayers only go so far. It basically shows the desperation. However, they would be better off getting in a car and driving west at this point than sitting in the open in a public square when bombs/missiles are falling." Another wrote: "None of us have any idea what is coming down the pipeline. Sadness and fear compete for my attention." As another social media user wrote echoing the thoughts of many world over: "They did nothing to deserve this."