Currently, airports are closed, and highways are filled with people trying to leave the country. (Mayor Charlie Clark/ Facebook)

By Rachel May

Russia Ukraine Conflict

‘It’s a very scary time for them and people are feeling helpless’: Locals react to Russia invading Ukraine

Feb 25, 2022 | 5:00 PM

As Russia invades Ukraine, people in the northeast are wondering what is happening in Ukraine and how they can help.

Danylo Puderak, Executive Director Ukrainian Canadian Congress- Saskatchewan Provincial Council, told northeastNOW the Ukrainian community is focused on helping their families stay safe.

“It’s a very scary time for them and people are feeling helpless. They’re feeling scared, they want to know what they can do to get their family members out of Ukraine.”

Right now airports are closed and highways to leave the country are full of people trying to leave.

“It’s truly unbelievable to think in 2022, in the heart of Europe, that something like this, that a war could happen like this, where one country is attempting to take over a free and democratic and independent neighbouring country.”

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Together with the Canada Ukraine Foundation, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress has established the Ukraine humanitarian fund to provide much-needed resources to those in Ukraine.

“That money will be used strictly for humanitarian purposes, including providing food and medicine to those people that need it.”

For those wanting to help, you can visit The Ukrainian Canadian Congress website and click on the donate button.

Puderak reminds everyone that one of the most important things you can do to help Ukrainian people is to express their love and support during this difficult time.

Father Patrick Powalinsky, Parish Priest for Melfort, Nipawin and Wakaw Parish District at the Ukrainian Canadian Congress- Saskatchewan Provincial Council said Russia declaring war on Ukraine has broken a truce originally established in Ancient Greece in the ninth century.

“There are Olympic truces, no fighting during one week before the Olympics and one week after the Olympics. So they even broke the Olympic Truce because of the break between the Paralympics and the Olympics.”

The truce was established to allow safe participation in the Olympic Games for all athletes spectators while ensuring all in attendance had a peaceful return to their respective countries.

Although the conflict may seem to be far from home, Powalinsky said that there are Canadians currently in Ukraine.

“I have a friend [from] Saskatoon. She’s staying there. She’s been there for 23 years. I have a friend [from] Toronto, who works in the banking industry, he’s staying back. A friend [from] Edmonton, he’s just about to fly out to come back to Canada.”

Powalinsky isn’t sure if his friend will be able to return home due to flights being grounded.

Before the war was declared, Ukraine was thriving and becoming a place that people were moving to from across the world to start their lives.

“They were academically ahead. They’re a lot more progressive and just free to express themselves. Regardless of which language they speak, just like we can speak French or we can speak English in Canada.”

Many people are making judgements about what is happening, Powalinsky reminds everyone to remember who is leading the war.

“There’s nothing wrong with the Russian people. It’s the leadership.”

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Rachel.May@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RachelMayFM