Ukrainians in Calgary cry out for support after Russian invasion
Within hours of military aggression by Russia, members of Ukrainian diaspora in Calgary are rallying together, calling for Canada and the international community to offer support to the democratic European nation.
The Ukraine flag was flown in front of Calgary's city hall Thursday as a show of solidarity from Mayor Jyoti Gondek and the city administration.
Municipal plaza also became the site of a midday rally.
Tetiana Kravchenko was crying as she spoke with CTV news, waving a cardboard sign in support of Ukraine.
"Its war it is real and people are dying there and basically I have all my family there, they are all there, they cannot leave, they don't want to leave because it's their country," she said.
She moved to Calgaryabout two years ago from a city in eastern Ukraine called Kryvyi -- her mom sister and dad are still in that country.
"I just want to tell them that I love them that I will always be with them, even though I am here my heart is with them," she said.
"God bless Ukraine, God bless Canada, don't be heartless."
Russian citizen Paul Lazarev also attended the rally.
"I am here to show my solidarity with Ukrainian people, to send the message that ordinary Russians don't support this insanity that our government, our president, has been doing."
Ukrainian Calgarians gathered along Macleod Trail in support of their homeland, which is under attack by Russia.
Some Ukrainian Calgarians say they haven't slept since multiple locations in Ukraine have been under attack.
"They are launching a full scale invasion. We're talking ballistic missiles. Can you imagine? In the middle of the 21st century in the middle of Europe, ballistic missile attacks. Unimaginable," said Olex Vasetsky.
His family, including his parents, sister, nephew and brother-in-law, live in Zaporizhzhia, a central city directly north of the Crimean peninsula, which has been annexed by Russia and is one of the reported entry points of invading forces.
His brother-in-law is a member of the Ukrainian army and has since been deployed to defend the county.
"The sense of helplessness is overwhelming being so far away and not being able to help as much."
Leaders with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress also struggled to connect with family in affected regions.
Inna Platonova, president of the Calgary branch, said she has not slept and continues to cry after learning her hometown was bombed.
"I was able to reach (my parents) and we connected and they said don't come (here). You have children," she said.
"We don't want to see you killed. They worry about us while they are there as the town is being bombed."
Platonova had planned to travel to Ukraine, however the airspace has been shut down in reaction to the invasion.
She's helped plan a rally at the Peace Bridge on Thursday at 5 p.m. to offer prayers for Ukraine.
"Ukraine is a very strong nation even though it has a horrible ongoing attack by Russia on its identity, on its territorial integrity," she said. "Ukraine will fight back."
PREMIER KENNEY RESPONDS, FOCUSES ON OIL
Canada is home to the largest Ukrainian population outside Ukraine, with roughly 345,000 in Alberta.
Premier Jason Kenney announced Wednesday the province is sending $1 million to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress to help deliver humanitarian aid to those affected.
“There is a dimension of Putin’s aggression which has a real relevance to Alberta and that is around energy security,” said Kenney from behind a podium with a sign that read "standing with Ukraine."
Kenney is also calling for a global embargo of all Russian oil and gas products and for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to pressure the U.S. Government to reinstate the cancelled Keystone XL pipeline.
“Alberta can play a critical role in displacing Russian oil and energy exports which are the basis of the wealth of Putin’s state which finances his military aggression.”
Alberta also has economic ties to Russia, with exports totally $88.59-million in 2020, a decrease since 2014.
The ministry for jobs, economy and innovation provided an emailed statement to CTV News.
"Alberta's government public commentary about Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has nothing to do with our economic interests. Quite simply, Alberta’s energy presents an opportunity to displace crude oil and natural gas imports from Russia – something that contributes billions of dollars per year to Putin’s war machine that is currently oppressing a free people," it read.
"In fact, Russia is the United States’ second largest foreign oil supplier after Canada – upward of 26 million barrels per month."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Global Affairs reports Canadian killed in Lebanon in connection with Israel-Hamas war
Global Affairs is reporting the death of another Canadian due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. This is the ninth casualty connected to Canada.
This Canadian couple used surrogacy to have a child. Here's what they want you to know
Families that need help conceiving a child are met with financial burdens that should be covered through government health care and insurance, advocates say.
From COVID-19 to alien contact, conspiracy theories are popular in Canada: survey
The Earth is flat. We have been secretly contacted by intelligent beings from other planets. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin did not land on the moon in 1969. They may sound like bizarre statements, but a new poll suggests a sizable number of Canadians believe in these and other conspiracy theories.
Renowned Quebec entrepreneur, partner reported dead in Caribbean
Quebec entrepreneur Daniel Langlois and his spouse Dominique Marchand have died in their adopted home of Dominica, in the Caribbean, a source has confirmed.
Renowned Canadian musician and former April Wine singer Myles Goodwyn dead at 75
Myles Goodwyn, the award-winning Canadian singer and songwriter who shot to stardom as the former lead singer of April Wine, has died at age 75.
Backlash continues following Moncton’s decision to not display the Menorah this year
Outrage seen from the community and across the country online after the news broke Friday that the City of Moncton would not display the Menorah this year.
Canada issues updated travel advisory for Guyana amid border dispute referendum in Venezuela
Amid a referendum that will see Venezuelans asked about the future of a chunk of neighbouring Guyana that Venezuela currently claims ownership over, Canada has adjusted its travel advisory to warn against travelling in Guyana near the border.
Another inmate dead at notoriously harsh Newfoundland jail, officials confirm
An inmate has died at Her Majesty's Penitentiary in Newfoundland, one of the oldest operating provincial jails in the country, officials with the provincial Justice Department confirmed.
Commercial ships hit by missiles in Houthi attack in Red Sea, U.S. warship downs 3 drones
Ballistics missiles fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels struck three commercial ships Sunday in the Red Sea, while a U.S. warship shot down three drones in self-defence during the hourslong assault, the U.S. military said. The Iranian-backed Houthis claimed two of the attacks.