‘It’s just devastating, I can’t believe this is happening’: P.A. residents gather in solidarity for Ukraine

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Many people showed up with signs with different messages displayed, however, it seemed they had a common goal of hoping for peace in Ukraine.

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Local resident Jason Billay told paNOW showing up and giving his support was his contribution in the fight against the war.

“This is the best thing I can do … supporting the community and showing my support for Ukraine and how unhappy I am with this war and how much I don’t want to see [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s soldiers fighting his war in my home motherland of Ukraine,” he said.

Billay is a third generation Canadian but still has direct ties to Ukraine. He has also travelled to the Ukraine multiple times, adding they were so nice and welcoming to him when he visited. He also grew up with a very strong connection to Ukrainian culture.

“This really hits home,” he said.

Many P.A. residents were holding signs during the event. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW staff)

Eventually, he said the Russian soldiers will wake up and realize they’re not fighting this war for a legitimate reason, instead for Putin’s own motives.

“If I could join the war tomorrow to fly over to Ukraine I would volunteer to fight gladly for Ukraine. That’s how strongly I feel for this,” Billay explained.

P.A. resident Sonya Jahn explained her mother was born in Ukraine and she still has family living in the western region of the country, which so far, she said has been unscathed.

“However, it’s heart breaking and I’m not even sleeping at night I’m just so worried about the innocent people. All they want is to have a peaceful life, to have democracy, and to live a wonderful life,” Jahn said.

Many were given a ribbon that had the Ukrainian national colours in support of the country. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW staff)

She said it was wonderful to see the amount of P.A. residents who showed up to the event.

“Prince Albert actually has a lot of Ukrainian people in this community and surrounding community and certainly I think Ukrainian people come together and support each other when things get bad,” she added.

Nadia Balytska, who immigrated to Canada six years ago said she was born and raised in Ukraine. All her family and friends still live in her home country.

“I’m also from the western part of Ukraine so my family is still safe since they live in the western part, but you never know it can change every minute,” she told paNOW. “Sometimes they have to go and hide in bomb shelters and it’s really scary when you see all those videos and see those destroyed cities and how many civilians who are killed already. It’s just devastating I can’t believe this is happening.”

Despite all of this, Balytska said she believes and knows the people of her home country will win the war but unfortunately many will also be killed.

“My heart is bleeding for all Ukrainians because it’s still my home, it’s my home country and it’s really hard. Sometimes I even wish I would be there so I could help them because here it feels a bit helpless,” she said.

She is hopeful all the world leaders will get together to stop Putin because he’s “an insane person.”

“I can’t believe that this is happening and one person, such a cruel person can do those terrible things to a peaceful nation, to all Ukrainians and my family and friends,” Balytska added.

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Ian.Gustafson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @IanGustafson12