Tears, singing engulf crowd at rally to support Ukraine

For Peter Bihun, what he is seeing half a world away in Ukraine rips his apart every day he wakes up.

The Dolyna Ukranian Cultural Society president was one of dozens who gathered outside city hall Sunday in support of Ukraine and its people in their fight against Russia president Vladimir Putin's invasion.

For anyone with a connection to Ukraine, the news has been difficult to hear.

“We wake up every morning and see if our flag is still flying. And unbelievably it is," he said.

Chants and singing broke out in the crowd often. People watching were often moved to tears with the singing of the Ukrainian national anthem.

Bihun has spoken to several relatives overseas who recount tales of the ins and outs of wartime life. This has included weapons going out to citizens to arm the population against the invaders.

He told the crowd how a brewery in one city stopped making beer and instead is using the bottles to create Molotov cocktails to fight the advancing Russian troops.

“I am in awe of them. I can’t believe folks that are 60, 70 years old, taking up machine guns and going out into the streets,” he said.

Bihun used to visit his Ukranian relatives every year before the pandemic struck. Now, those same frightened family and friends are sheltering in the basement of their apartment buildings in an effort to stay safe from Russian bombs.

Bihun said he tries every day to share news of the global outpouring of support and remind them they’re not alone.

He said people in the Okanagan and across Canada can help in several ways, like encouraging local politicians to do all they can to help Ukraine survive the siege. Cash donations can be made online through the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

He said the support will be needed for some time, given the number of potential wounded soldiers and citizens, as well as for rebuilding.