Thursday marks one year since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launching a war that's still taking a horrifying toll on the country and its people.

Ukrainians living in Westchester spoke out Wednesday against the aggression and prayed for an end to the violence.

Members of the Ukrainian community prayed for peace at Saint Michael's Ukrainian Church in Yonkers.

They sang, prayed, and filled the church with an air raid siren - a sound all too familiar back home. Their message was that they are stronger together.

As News 12 has previously reported over the last year, many local residents are directly impacted and still have family in Ukraine or know people fighting on the front lines.

Students at SUNY Westchester Community College got together Wednesday morning and held a vigil praying for the country and the victims of the war.

They hope to spread a message of strength, unity, and support for Ukraine.

One of the victim's organizers, whose grandparents came to America from Ukraine during World War II, said it's important for people to remember the war is real and still claiming lives every day.

Houses of worship throughout the tri-state are planning to ring their bells for one minute at noon on Thursday to mark one year since the war began.