Ukrainian refugees hold candlelight vigil in San Diego

(NBC, KYMA/KECY) - In San Diego, refugees from the Ukraine war held a candlelight vigil at Balboa Park Monday night to pay tribute to the victims of the war.

Through Ukrainian songs of remembrance and prayers, hundreds of people paid tribute to the thousands of lives lost as a result of the war in Ukraine.

"My son is a U.S. citizen with no ties to Ukraine, other than being called by God to go help the country," said Tiziana Tarquino, who showed pictures of her son who's fighting in the war.

Tarquino say he's alive thanks to the selfless act of an Argentinean soldier: "They went into a trench full of Russians. He jumped in front of my son to save his life and died in my son's arms because he was trying to save him with tourniquets."

"The rockets...and it's hit my uncle," said Anastisiia Liakhu, a Ukrainian refugee.

In addition to losing her uncle, Liakhu's niece is among the more than 670 children killed in the violence: "She was just seven-years-old, and I just wanted to know what to say, so it's just heartbreaking. I don't even know how my sister lives."

Remembering the dead on this third anniversary of the war brought tears to people's eyes, but Liakhu was one of many who say seeing people draped in the Ukrainian flag, and wearing traditional shirts, brings a sense of support and comfort.

"I felt like I'm not alone," Liakhu expressed.

The people of Ukraine hoping they're not left alone when peace talks start as they call for a just peace.

"It's that war won't return back. That aggressor, Russia, will pay reparations for...even to those countries that help Ukraine," said one refugee.

"I would like the war to be stopped. But at the same time I want Ukraine to be independent and free and my people to be happy," Liakhu spoke.

But with the United States voting against a U.N. resolution condemning Russia for the war, they worry what the future of Ukraine could look like.