'We need to get done with it. Right now': Kitchener rally marks two years since the invasion of Ukraine
Carl Zehr Square was awash in a sea of blue and yellow as a large group of people came together to mark two years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The invasion first began when dozens of missiles rained down on cities across Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.
Russian troops soon followed, seizing control of large areas of the country while bombing continued.
Ukrainian forces hit back, pushing the Russian invaders out of several key areas.
The war has waged on ever since, with some Ukrainian families fleeing to Canada in search of safety.
Kitchener rally
A large crowd gathered in Kitchener to show support for Ukraine and for the people who have come to Waterloo Region amid ongoing turmoil in their country.
Some attendees draped themselves in the yellow and blue flag of Ukraine and held signs emblazoned with “I stand with Ukraine.”
The gathering included cries of “Slava Ukraini,” a Ukrainian salute that translates to “Glory to Ukraine,” and songs of prayer for the people left behind.
“This event was organized by the Ukrainian Congress, Ukrainian World Congress and this is like over 400 cities participating at the same time,” Ukranian Canadian Congress Region of Waterloo vice president Tanya Chuchkevych said.
“Two years is a long time but I see the support is still there,” she said.
“Sometimes I’m crying because I’m so tired or disbelief but sometimes I’m crying because of the support. If help does not continue, if help does not increase, on many levels - you know sanctions, military support, financial, then Ukraine could lose and it would be devastating to everyone”
From Ukraine to Waterloo Region
One of the people at Saturday afternoon’s event was Roman Kaharlytskyi, a man from Ukraine now studying in Waterloo Region.
He recalled what it was like when the war began.
“At the time when Russia invaded Ukraine I was a student. I was living in my dormitory in the capital city and my friends knocked on the door at 5 a.m. and we woke up and heard the explosions in the city. So we started packing our things and trying to get out because Russian forces were coming from the north, from the Belarus border to the capital city.”
Kaharlytskyi told CTV News he stayed in Ukraine during the early months of the invasion, looking for work while trying to continue his studies remotely.
During that time, his mother was diagnosed with cancer, and she and his younger brother went to Poland for her treatment.
He joined them for a time, before getting an offer to continue his studies.
“I got accepted for this program and flew to Canada in May last year and I was accepted to the University of Waterloo and now I’m a student.”
Now, he stays in touch with his family back home, but worries about what may happen as explosions continue to rock Ukraine.
He said more needs to be done to stop the Russian forces that continue to threaten the country.
“Russia will not stop and we need to get done with it. Right now.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE UPDATES Critical infrastructure 'successfully protected': Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials in an update said all critical infrastructure in the townsite has been 'successfully protected, including the hospital, emergency services building, both elementary and junior/senior schools, activity centre and wastewater treatment plant.'
Canadian Olympic Committee removes women's soccer team's head coach over drone scandal
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman over a drone scandal, according to a press release from the organization.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
U.S. authorities have arrested 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel
Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of another infamous cartel leader, were arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas on Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Harris pushes Netanyahu to ease suffering in Gaza: 'I will not be silent'
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to help reach a Gaza ceasefire deal that would ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians, striking a tougher tone than President Joe Biden.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.