Ukrainian-Canadians living in Kelowna are asking for support from the Okanagan community after Russia launched a on Thursday.
The attack hit cities and bases with airstrikes or shelling. Some civilians piled into trains and cars to flee, while some stayed behind to stay with and protect their families.
A group of more than 50 people of Ukrainian descent gathered in front of city hall on Feb. 24 to show their support for their family and friends back home and to ask the Canadian government to take action.
The city of Kelowna stands with Ukraine.
91裸聊视频� Jacqueline Gelineau (@Rangers_mom)
Demonstration in front of city hall
91裸聊视频淚 hope that with our little voices here, we can somehow encourage support from Canada,91裸聊视频� said Vsevolod Lynov, a Ukrainian-Canadian, worried for his loved ones back home.
Denys Seorozhuk, the organizer of the demonstration, said that Canada and allied forces need to send troops to the border of Ukraine 91裸聊视频渢o show Putin that this isn91裸聊视频檛 going to be easy.91裸聊视频�
He said that the Canadian government also needs to urgently impose strict sanctions to impact President Vladimir Putin and Russian oligarchs.
Seorozhuk is urging Canadians to listen to the requests from the Ukrainian ambassador to Canada.
Ambassador Andrii Bukvych said, 91裸聊视频渙ur primary request is helmets, armoured jackets, firearms and ammunition.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淲e need sanctions that would fundamentally undermine the ability of the Russian economy to finance aggression and war.91裸聊视频�
Statement from Denys Seorozhuk, a Ukranian-Canadian, organizer of the demonstration
91裸聊视频� Jacqueline Gelineau (@Rangers_mom)
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91裸聊视频淢y family was woken up early this morning from their windows being shaken by actual explosions,91裸聊视频� said Lynov.
A Ukrainian supporter, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that the subway system in much of Ukraine was designed to be used as a bomb shelter. The underground transit system in his home country was built while occupied by the Soviet Union.
91裸聊视频淢any people now live in the subway,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淭hey are deep underground and have drinking fountains installed.91裸聊视频�
The Canadian Press reported that on the morning of Friday, Feb. 25 , residents cautiously emerged from the underground subway stations where they had taken shelter, making their way along mostly empty streets amid a snowstorm.
91裸聊视频淓verybody is just hiding from the bombs, basically,91裸聊视频� said a supporter at the Kelowna rally.
Father Pavlo Myts, the Pastor of the Dorminition Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church in Kelowna said 91裸聊视频渢his is not the first day of the war.91裸聊视频�
He explained that the Russo-Ukrainian war started nearly a decade ago when Russia invaded Crimea in 2014.
91裸聊视频淭his is a completely unprovoked war against a developing democratic country by, really, a fascist regime which is killing regular people,91裸聊视频� said a supporter. 91裸聊视频淭hey just want to be left in peace. To live their way.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淭he Russians will not stop unless the world gets together,91裸聊视频� said Father Myts.
Ukrainian civilians are having to take up arms.
Lynov said that his brother-in-law and father are volunteering for the Ukrainian army.
These men, like many other volunteers, have no prior military experience, said Lynov. His relatives volunteering, and other men enlisting, are being given weapons and are serving on the front lines to protect their families and homes.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 proud of our guys standing there,91裸聊视频� said Lynov.
He had a tearful phone call with his grandmother, who is currently living in Odessa.
91裸聊视频淪he was a little kid when the Second World War started,91裸聊视频� said Lynov. He said she fears for her young family members that will have to live through a war as she did.
Lynov also said that his Russian friends have been given alternate news that claims Ukraine attacked first. 91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 nonsense, we are in that war already for eight years,91裸聊视频� Lynov said. 91裸聊视频淲e are not going to attack our own territory, like Crimea.91裸聊视频�
Seorozhuk said that Russian and Georgian citizens in Kelowna came to the demonstration to show their support for Ukraine.
Peter Bihun, president of the Dolyna Ukrainian Cultural Society, said 91裸聊视频淲rite your MLA and MP. Make sure that Canada is solidly behind this.91裸聊视频�
Support can be sent to the , organized by CNEWA Canada. Support for the beleaguered Ukrainians can also be sent through the and Canada-Ukraine Foundation, who have established a humanitarian fund.
READ MORE: Concern for Ukraine and handling of Ottawa protest from Okanagan MPs
Jacqueline.Gelineau@kelownacapnews.com
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