The event took place at Freedom Square but spilled over into nearby streets and onto the hill behind the victory monument.

At its peak, the Police and Border Guard Board estimated 30,000 people were in attendance. This makes it the biggest demonstration in Estonia since the end of the Soviet Union.

Hetkel on Vabaduse väljakul ruumi rohkem. Meie hinnangul oli ürituse tipptunnil ligikaudu 30 000 inimest.#Ukrainatoetuseks ❤️

— Politsei (@Politsei) February 26, 2022

The protest started with the Ukrainian and Estonian national anthems and President Alar Karis gave a speech.

Estonian-Ukrainian organizations and Estonian civil society associations organized the protest.

The head of the Estonian Congress of Ukrainians Vira Konyk, musician Ruslan Trochynskyi, head of the Estonian Student Union Marcus Ehasoo, the head of the Estonian Youth Association Triin Roos and others also spoke.

Ukrainian ambassador to Estonia Mariana Betsa wrote in social media that she was "deeply moved" but the "thousands and thousands of people in Tallinn" who supported Ukraine.

Deeply moved. Thousands and thousands of people in Tallinn to support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/MJ8jGXqHXZ

— Mariana Betsa (@Mariana_Betsa) February 26, 2022

Similar protests were held in Tartu and Narva earlier in the day.

At approximately 5 a.m. on Thursday, Russia launched an attack on Ukraine having massed tens of thousands of troops on the country's north, east and southern borders over the last several months.

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