Montreal-Ukrainian community horrified by Russian invasion of their homeland
Posted February 24, 2022 1:17 pm.
Last Updated February 25, 2022 3:08 pm.
Montreal-Ukrainian’s are reacting to news of Russia’s full-scale invasion of the Ukraine. The city’s community fearing for their homeland and their families who live there.
“The feeling in the community is definitely one of horror,” says Michael Shwec, President of the Quebec branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. “Nobody can really believe that Putin actually made this move.”
Shwec says everyone in Montreal’s small Ukrainian community is overwhelmed with worry.
“People are very anxious for the safety of their families,” he says. “We know that sirens are going on, people in the bigger cities are running to the subways for shelter. It puts a lot of stress on the community here, not knowing what the outcome is going to be for their families.”
Many coming together on Thursday afternoon outside of McGill University at a rally, chanting, “Hands off our Ukraine.” And calling on the Canadian government to act – overwhelmed with worry.
“I feel numb, I barely slept a couple of hours last night, I’m feeling desperate,” says Kostiantym Iakymov, a musician who immigrated from the Ukraine to Montreal eight years ago. “But I know that we will do whatever it takes, whatever is in our power here in Canada to help our people back home in the Ukraine.”
Vitalia Khmil is the president of the Concordia Ukrainian Students’ Union. She says it’s hard to describe what she’s feeling right now, but she hopes people will be moved to act.
“I want people to take action. I want the governments to take action, for them to understand that this is bigger than us. It’s not just about the Ukraine anymore. This war has been going on since 2014 and it’s time that we do something about it.”
#WATCH: “Hands off Ukraine,” people gathered at McGill chant, here in support of Ioved ones back home. pic.twitter.com/tm5PlEI0M2
— Alyssia (@rubertuccinews) February 24, 2022
Quebec premier Legault also reacting Thursday morning on social media.
“We woke up to horrible images of a new war in Europe this morning,” he said in a tweet. “We hoped never to see that happen.”
Saying that Quebec will do its part to welcome Ukrainian refugees in the coming weeks and months.
“We also stand ready to offer humanitarian material assistance whenever possible,” he wrote.
The premier estimates that are about 40,000 Quebecers of Ukrainian decent, and from the country, in the province.
Montreal mayor Valérie Plante tweeted: “In solidarity with the Ukrainian people and their community in Montreal, the flag of Ukraine flies in front of City Hall. Our thoughts are with all the innocent victims of this attack. We are all heart with you.”
“There are no words,” says Myroslaw Balycky, the president of the Ukrainian Catholic Church on Bellechasse street. “This was kind of expected, but we were hoping that it wouldn’t be at such a volatile level. I just spoke to family. They’re in the west of Ukraine, where it’s considered safer, yet they woke up to bombardments this morning.”
#WATCH: “It hurts,” says Angel Zytynsky, owner of Zytynsky’s Deli in what’s considered Montreal’s Little Ukraine. She says she hasn’t been able to reach some family members and the anxiety has grown. Many showing support in the neighbourhood.
READ: https://t.co/txIM5LmpBS pic.twitter.com/jupCgWP1HT
— Alyssia (@rubertuccinews) February 24, 2022
“Well, [Putin] has said that his only goal is to replace the Ukrainian government rather than to occupy the whole country,” says Maria Popova, an associate professor of political science at McGill University.
“The problem, though, is that this is a democratically elected government that has a lot of support, so he cannot simply replace the government with a puppet and leave,” she adds. “This puppet will have no legitimacy and will be removed immediately, so he will have to occupy the country and back up whatever government he wants to put in there. But it’s too early to say that he will be successful.”
Angel Zatynsky, owner of the century-old Zytynsky’s Deli on Beaubien east in Rosemont, says the news is painful to watch unfold.
“When I woke up this morning the tension was already growing in me,” she says. “It’s very, very sad what he’s done. I just hope he can wake up and say, ‘It’s enough, I’ve proved my point, let’s move on.’ We have cousins not far from Kiev, we’ve been trying to call and the lines have been cut. It hurts. It’s family, it’s sad.”
Zatynsky says she’s grateful for the support she’s received from the local Montreal community.
“As soon as I opened the door this morning customers were coming in, not even to buy, they said they would come back later for that, but just to tell me, ‘We’re praying for you, Bon courage, Angel, and Ça va bien aller.”
