New York and Toronto mark Ukraine's independence day
STORY: In New York's Central Park, Ukrainian nationals and local people unveiled the 'Banner of Courage', which they say is the world's largest national flag of Ukraine.
Dozens of people were seen carrying smaller flags or wrapping themselves around them.
A protester at the park, Sofiya Bedriy, said Ukraine has always been independent and would be in the future.
Meanwhile, in Canada, a flag-raising ceremony was held outside of Ontario's Parliament.
Anastasia Obydina, a Ukrainian student living in the North American country said people should continue to stand with Ukraine as it is not only fighting for its freedom but also for all democratic countries.
Also on Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden marked Ukraine's Independence Day with $3 billion in security assistance, Washington's largest aid package since Russia's invasion six months ago but one that could take months or even years to arrive in Kyiv.
The aid announcement came as U.S. officials warned that Russia appeared to be planning to launch fresh attacks in coming days on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure and government facilities.
Since Russian forces invaded on Feb. 24 in what President Vladimir Putin termed a "special military operation" to demilitarize Ukraine, the conflict has settled into a war of attrition fought primarily in the country's east and south.
