Ukrainians Pray on the Streets as Russia Attacks in Viral Video

A video of Ukrainian citizens praying in the town square of Kharkiv after Russia invaded the country has gone viral.

CNN's Natasha Bertrand shared the video to her Twitter page and the video has been viewed over 605,000 times.

The moment was captured during a broadcast by fellow CNN reporter Clarissa Ward.

The video showed the camera zooming in on a group of people kneeling down in a circle, while one person stood, presumably praying. After an introduction from CNN host Don Lemon, Ward explained what she and her camera team were seeing.

"I think this really speaks to the desperation of this moment. We just see a small group of people and I hope you can see them on our shot here," Ward said.

"A small group of people have gathered in the town square and they are kneeling and praying.

"[This is] because right now there is truly a sense of having no idea what is coming down the pipeline, what is in store for the people of Ukraine in the coming hours, in the coming days.

"It is freezing cold here, so to see these people here kneeling here on the cold stone, in prayer, is honestly very moving. I think it speaks to the state of ordinary Ukrainians here.

"[They] have done absolutely nothing to deserve this. They have no quarrel with Russia."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a "special military operation" and the country's forces have invaded Ukraine. In his speech, Putin told Ukraine's military personnel to lay down their weapons and go home.

"We urge you to lay down arms immediately and go home," he said.

"I will explain, all servicemen of the Ukrainian army who comply with this requirement, can freely leave the area of military actions and return to their families."

Putin also issued a warning to any country that would oppose their military action.

"Whoever would try to stop us and further create threats to our country, to our people, should know that Russia's response will be immediate and lead you to such consequences that you have never faced in your history.

"We are ready for any outcome."

The invasion from Russia has been met with condemnation from world leaders, most notably U.S. President Joe Biden.

"Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable," he said in a tweet.

He added: "Tomorrow, I will be meeting with the leaders of the 7, and the United States and our allies and partners will be imposing severe sanctions on Russia.

"We will continue to provide support and assistance to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people."

He also mentioned that he had spoken to the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"President Zelenskyy reached out to me tonight and we just finished speaking. I condemned this unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces," Biden tweeted.

"I briefed him on the steps we are taking to rally international condemnation, including tonight at the UN Security Council."