Thousands of young Muscovites have gathered at a rally to show their support for South Ossetia and its people. It included a minutes silence to remember those killed in the five-day war.

During an emotional event, victims from the devastated capital Tskhinvali shared their personal accounts of their ordeal.

“My relatives were ordered out of the basement they were hiding in,” said Maya Zaseeva, a refugee. “They came out with their hands up, hoping for mercy and sympathy for their children. But the last thing those kids heard was the sound of a gun. They were shot dead in front of their house.”

The crowd of Russians from various youth movements wanted to express their solidarity with South Ossetia, where many people are Russian Citizens.

But they didn’t just express their support in words – an integral part of the event was to give blood. It will be sent to soldiers and citizens wounded in the fighting.

Around 300 people took part and their donations will now make their way to South Ossetia, along with food parcels, medicine and clothing.