Ukraine's president says Russia has embarked on a path of evil, but Ukraine is defending itself and won't give up its freedom.

Laura Kalmar, director of marketing and communications for Mennonite Central Committee Canada (MCC Canada) says they have a team on the ground in Ukraine.

"A few weeks ago, we did evacuate some of our team in Ukraine, those who were outside their home context, people originally from Canada and the United States. Now that it's full-blown conflict, a full-blown war, we're ready with partners on the ground to be responding to people who have been displaced," Kalmar explains

Russia is shelling and conducting airstrikes on cities and bases, and Ukraine's government says Russian tanks and troops rolled across the border in what it called a full-scale war.

Ukrainians are gathering in train stations and clogging highways as Russian forces advance from the east, north and south.

Kalmar says there are several other ways to help those living in Ukraine, including financial help and relief kits.

"Make a comforter and send it to somebody who is going to use it to wrap a child or use it as a window covering or warmth on their floor. It's just a beautiful way to get involved."

With the situation growing worse as time goes on, people in Ukraine are feeling fragile and very vulnerable. At the same time, Kalmar says people there are very resilient and are clinging to hope and asking for prayer.

"I think the prayer is a prayer for resilience, prayer for hope, a prayer for God to meet people's needs, to give them their daily bread. Quite frankly that may look like bread, like daily supplies, like a clean towel, like soap, like toothpaste."