Belleville residents braved freezing cold and biting winds to hold a candlelight vigil in Market Square to mark the one year anniversary of Russia’s devastating invasion of Ukraine.
About 50 area residents gathered at 7 p.m. on Friday, holding candles and listening to Ukraine’s national anthem in respect for the country and those fighting to defend it.
Iryna Luzhynskaya, a Ukrainian staying in Belleville since the war began, said she feels safer in Canada and hopes for a quick Ukrainian victory.
“I want to say all people who help Ukraine, thank you so much,” she said.
From left to right, Adriana and Yuliya Lohvynenko with Iryna Luzhynskaya, at the candlelight vigil in Belleville in support of Ukraine. Photo by Alan-Michael Steele
Local resident Luke Melnyk, whose family emigrated from Ukraine to Canada, expressed his concerns about the conflict.
“It’s escalated to a point where it shouldn’t be and it shouldn’t be happening, but this is the struggle that my ancestors that worked for last 1000 years,” said Melnyk. “It’s just unfortunate this day and age that we all can’t get along and share and make the best of whatever situation that every country has to give.”
Ukraine has been under attack from the Russian military for a full year at this point, despite Russia planning to win the war in under a week. Currently the country is facing long range rocket and cruise missile attacks, targeted at energy infrastructure in an attempt to cut off the people’s access to energy and heat during the cold winter months.
From left to right, Corrine Sykes, Adriana Lohvynenko and event organizer Myroslava Symonenko gather in front of City Hall at market square to light candles in support of Ukraine. Photo by Alan-Michael Steele
Other countries are offering support to Ukraine, with Canada and other nations providing weapons, tanks, and training for Ukrainian troops. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Friday that Canada will sanction 200 additional individuals and organizations that are enabling the Russian war effort, and donate an additional eight Leopard II tanks to the Ukrainian armed forces.
Recently U.S. President Joe Biden called the actions of the Russian army in Ukraine crimes against humanity, an escalation from previous accusations of war crimes.
