Stevie Wonder voiced his support for Ukraine, which he says is "in a battle for the soul of the planet" after the Russian invasion.

In a video - statement posted on his social media accounts, the Motown legend condemned Russia's "satanic" invasion of Ukraine and called on people to revolt to "prevent World War III."

"Can we survive if Ukraine does not survive? That is the question we all need to ask, "said Stevie Wonder.

"Are we surprised that the forces of evil are alive and well in today's world? I'm not surprised and you should not be surprised either. I write and sing about it because I feel it. "You have to know it because you can see it, unless you roll your eyes and do nothing about it, you have to see it."

"Today, Ukraine is in a battle for the soul of the planet. At the moment we are talking, the forces of evil are fighting. We have seen what he has and what evil can do. It does not matter from which country or which color. Now, evil threatens the sovereignty of one country and the sanctity of all others. "What additional tragedies will we need to stop this aggression?" He added.

Stevie Wonder concluded his message by calling on people to resist the hatred that he says threatens our very existence.

 
"Hate has no color, it has no devotion. Greed has no commitment except to itself. "Only you, the people, can prevent World War III," he said.

"We have to resist hatred and kill it before it kills us. I believe in the power of people, of all people. "We can stop this now."

At least 351 civilians have been confirmed killed in Russian airstrikes in Ukraine on February 24 and another 707 wounded, although the actual death toll is likely to be "significantly higher", a UN mission said on Saturday. victims of the invasion.

Most of the civilian casualties were caused by explosive devices in a wide area of ​​impact, including heavy artillery bombardment and multi-launcher missile systems, as well as by bombings and airstrikes, observers from the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said.
 
"The UNHCR estimates that the actual toll is significantly higher, especially in government-controlled areas, especially in recent days, as information from some of the strongest hostilities has been delayed and many reports are still awaiting confirmation."

The mission said hundreds of alleged civilian casualties in the town of Volnovaka - where efforts were being made to open a safe passage for civilians as Russian forces surrounded the town - have not yet been confirmed.