Ukrainian Montrealers watch Russian attacks in horror

Montrealer Oksana Gerych has barely slept since Russia's assault on Ukraine began overnight Wednesday. She stayed up speaking with friends and some relatives back in Ukraine, and scrolling for the latest news of the attacks. 

"I was a bit shocked. Yes, and no, because we were kind of ready for aggression. But you know, you could never be ready for this," she said.

Those with ties to Ukraine are watching with fear and anger as Russian forces march across the Eastern border, unleashing missiles into cities across Ukraine. 

Gerych said for now, her elderly parents, who live in Lviv, a city in Western Ukraine, are planning to stay home.

"They're scared. But my mom said, 'Don't worry; don't panic. We will do whatever we supposed to do, and we just pray and hope everything will be fine,'" Gerych said.

If it comes to it, Gerych said, her family has talked about possibly fleeing to Poland, to wait there until she can find a way to bring them to Canada. Her brother, however, has told her even if the family has to flee, he will make sure his wife, children and parents are safe before returning to fight.

"He's not military. He's never been in the army. But he said, 'I will be back,' because ... that's his home," she said.

"It's scary for me because, you know, you're far away, and you don't know what to do to help."

Members of the Ukrainian community plan to gather at McGill University Thursday afternoon as a show of solidarity with people in Ukraine and as a call for the Canadian government to act. 

Michael Shwec, president of the Quebec chapter of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, said Canada can continue to help by sending more military equipment to Ukraine and by pushing for even stronger sanctions against Russia. 

"They need to be fully isolated from the entire international community — and immediately," he said, "perhaps removal from the United Nations — definitely their veto and membership in the Security Council."

Shwec said more rallies are planned for Friday and Sunday in Montreal, and he invited Quebecers of all backgrounds to show their support.

"Anybody who believes in democracy needs to try to tune in and look at the facts and understand that nobody except for Putin and Russia wants war," he said.

"Today, anyone who values human rights, democracy and liberty is a Ukrainian."