Australians rally in support of Ukraine after Russian missile strikes.

 Extract from ABC News

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A crowd gathers in support of Ukraine in Melbourne's Federation Square.(ABC News: Darryl Torpy)

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Crowds have rallied in Australian cities in support of Ukraine, following Russian missile strikes on civilian areas well away from the frontlines in the south and east of the country.

Key points:

• Rallies in support of Ukraine have been staged in Australia and in other cities internationally, after Russian air strikes on civilian targets
• Organisers of rallies in Australia are calling for greater support of Ukraine
• Attendees have condemned Russia's actions

People gathered in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and Hobart on Tuesday, after missiles rained down on Ukrainian cities on Monday, October 10. 

Danylo Stefyn — a former director of the Association of Ukrainians in Victoria — said similar protests were being staged around the world. 

"We want it shown to people's faces that there is resistance, that there is solidarity, and that what Russia is doing is in no way acceptable," Mr Stefyn said.

Ukrainians displaced by Russian president Vladimir Putin's invasion were among attendees at the Australian rallies. 

Tonia Bondarchuk fled to Australia, alone, from Ukraine. 

Danylo Stefyn says what Russia's doing in Ukraine is "in no way acceptable".(ABC News: Darryl Torpy)

"My whole family yesterday was without water, without electricity," Ms Bondarchuk said. 

"I couldn't even call them. So I didn't know whether they are safe or not — whether they are killed."

Tonia Bondarchuk fled to Australia, alone, and was unable to contact her family in Ukraine after the missile strikes.(ABC News)

Another rally attendee and displaced person Marta Artemenko said people wanted to return to Ukraine and build their futures there.

"But, as we can see, every day it's worse and worse," she said. 

Marta Artemenko says people from Ukraine want to go back home and build their futures there.(ABC News)

Sergiy Vlasyuk attended the Melbourne rally out of support for Ukrainians, and the country of his birth. 

"My sister's workplace was attacked," he said. 

He said his sister was working from home that day, so she was spared. 

"The day before, she was in her workplace," Mr Vlasyuk said. 

Father and son Sergiy and Bogdan Vlasyuk turned out in support of Ukraine — the country of their birth, and where they have family.(ABC News: Darryl Torpy)

His son, Bogdan, hoped by rallying that the stories of Ukrainian people would stay fresh in people's minds.

"It's important to remember that each of the people that died yesterday, and died before then, are real people — they lived their lives, they had stories to tell," he said.

Organisers of the rallies are calling on Australia to provide greater support for Ukraine by increasing military aid, expelling the Russian ambassador, and declaring Russia a terrorist state. 

"Current sanctions have failed to stop the slaughter," the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations said in a statement.