'They just want peace': London Ukrainian Centre president speaks out against Russian attack

The president of the London Ukrainian Centre says he wants Canadians to know that Ukraine is "a free country" that "wants peace," after Russian forces began to invade by land, air and sea on Thursday.

Volodymyr Vorobets has a mother-in-law living in southern Ukraine, as well as a brother and nephew, along with other extended family. Amid news of the attack, he said his family contacted him to help them buy a diesel generator. 

"They've just been notified there will be no power for the next three days," Vorobets said. "They are scared, obviously. But no one is running. They are mobilizing boys and men."

Explosions could be heard in the capital of Kyiv before dawn. Ukraine then reported columns of troops moving across its borders into the eastern Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Luhansk regions, and landing by sea at the port cities of Odesa and Mariupol in the south.

Vorobets said he's trying to figure out how else he can help his family and others in Ukraine. He wants Canadian politicians to encourage action beyond sanctions, and for Western allies to understand the serious threat of more violence. 

"It is happening and I am very concerned, and the only thing I can think of at the moment is to send money so my relatives can get the things they need immediately."

He also said it's important for the world to know the difference between truth and falsehood in how the story of Ukraine is told. He urges Canadians to remember Ukraine's fight against the Stalin regime in 1932 and 1933, which led to the deaths of at least five million Ukrainians by starvation. 

"[Russian President Valadimir] Putin in his speech the other day said Ukraine was created by Russians in 1918, that there wasn't such a thing before Russia created it. I was fierce after that comment," said Vorobets. 

"But unfortunately a lot of people today believe that." 

Vorobets said Canadians need to keep their eyes fixed on the Ukrainian people as they endure this next dark chapter. 

"There are a lot of beautiful people living there, hardworking people that have their history, have their culture, their language," he said. "They are not attacking anyone. They don't want anything from anyone. They just want peace in their country. But apparently it's not aligned with the program of Mr. Putin. And he wants to destroy Ukraine." 

"It's beautiful country," he said, "and it breaks my heart that it's being bombed as we speak."