Alberta's Ukrainian community sounds the alarm over Russian incursion threat
As Canada sends a small group of special forces and government officials to Ukraine, some of Alberta's Ukrainian community is calling for allies to do more to support the European nation.
An estimated 100,000 Russian troops are poised to strike along Ukraine's eastern border.
Inna Platonova, Calgary branch president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress has family and friends in the country and says each passing day is agonizing and heart-breaking.
"Almost every day you hear from the frontlines, that Ukrainian defenders are being killed," she said.
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly spoke in Kyiv, Ukraine's capital city on Tuesday, visiting with local leaders and the few Canadian Forces soldiers who have been deployed to provide training support.
"Russia is the aggressor. We make sure to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine," said Joly. "(Canada is) engaging through ... any form of diplomatic channels with all parties, including Russia to make sure we have a diplomatic solution."
There's no decision for Canada to send military equipment.
"It's very important that a number of stable voices take a strong stance against the unreasonable demands that are being made," said Lori Williams, political science professor at Mount Royal University.
Russia is demanding that Ukraine be blocked from joining NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and Williams says there is no scenario in which that demand can be met.
In 2014, Russia began a military operation to annex and occupy the peninsula of Crimea, and armed conflict continues in eastern regions.
Anna Zakharova, 36, and her immediate family fled Crimea for Calgary eight years ago.
"I remember the feeling of adrenaline rushing through my blood and my hands shaking, not knowing what's going to happen. (And asking) what shall we do, shall we flee?" said Zakharova.
She now resides in Edmonton and says other nations need to help prevent further suffering.
"Will the international community actually be able to help and do something to stop this?" she said.
Ukrainians in Calgary are sharing their stories and want the world to understand their plight.
"Ukraine is not a vassal state of Russia, it is not (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's puppet. It is a sovereign, independent, democratic country," said Bohdan Romaniuk of the Calgary Ukraine Canadian Professional Business Association.
He says Ukraine's allies need to boost its defences by providing more military equipment, and Platonova agrees.
"We are grateful for what Canada is doing and we hope that the support will continue and strengthen," he said. "We hope that Canada (will) provide defence equipment and tools to help Ukraine defend itself."
As well, she hopes a new social media campaign #standwithukraine will gain momentum and spread awareness.
Platonova is hosting a very small event in at the Peace Bridge in Calgary on Jan. 22 as that is the special day of unity in Ukraine.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for "all parties" to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Taylor Swift drops 15 new songs on double album, 'The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology'
On Friday, the pop star released her 11th album and at 2 a.m. Eastern, she released "The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology," featuring 15 additional songs.
Israel gave U.S. last-minute warning about drone attack on Iran, Italian foreign minister says at G7
The United States told the Group of Seven foreign ministers on Friday that it received 'last minute' information from Israel about a drone action in Iran, but didn't participate in the apparent attack, officials said.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.