'It's devastating': Ukrainians in Canada help families in war zone
Ukrainians in Canada are doing everything they can to help their families overseas as they flee in desperation or go into hiding in Ukraine.
In a cramped hiding space, five kilometres north of Kyiv, Serhii Marchenko’s friends and family are desperately hiding out from the bombing.
“It’s devastating, it destructs myself inside when I’m here and I cannot do anything,” he said.
Marchenko is also Ukrainian, but currently lives in Ontario for college.
The 19-year-old keeps in touch with his loved ones in Ukraine via video conferencing.
"Every night when I talk to my Dad I hear the explosions and I hear that something is going on," he said.
"When I look at his eyes, I see the fear."
His sister’s family has escaped to shelter in the western region, where they received water and food.
"They are escaping in terrible conditions because a lot of people are trying to escape to the west," he said.
Marchenko is doing everything he can to help, that includes coordinating his family’s movements and sending updates.
Meanwhile, Victoria Brunetta is also feeling the pain of seeing her family in crisis overseas.
"They are just trying to get a sense of what their options are at this time and taking it day by day. Actually, hour by hour really," said Brunetta, who lives in Ottawa.
Most of her family is sheltering near Kyiv right now, while some are in the neighbouring country of Georgia.
"My aunt is a nurse so she has been deemed an essential war person," said Brunetta. "Even if she wanted to leave, she needs to be there to help with any possible casualties."
Brunetta started a petition calling for the government to loosen visa restrictions for Ukrainians with family in Canada.
"That is the only way that we can efficiently get our families out," she said. "We have nothing to offer them because if we wanted to fly them out today, we would, but we can’t so that is a scary place to be."
Brunetta says for families that have already left Ukraine, it would mean fewer immigration barriers.
Get in touch
Are you in Ukraine? Do you have family in Ukraine? Are you or your family affected? Email ottawanews@bellmedia.ca.
- Please include your name, location, and contact information if you are willing to speak to a journalist with CTV News.
- Your comments may be used in a CTVNewsOttawa.ca story.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.
BREAKING Police make arrests in killing of B.C. Sikh activist, source confirms
Police have made arrests in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a senior government source has confirmed to CTV News.
WATCH LIVE Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Magnitude 4.8 earthquake recorded west of Vancouver Island
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake was reported west of Vancouver Island Thursday evening.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
How falling for a stranger she met on a beach led this woman to ditch the U.S. for the French Riviera
Niki Benjamin, from the U.S., had travelled to a paradise island to do some soul searching, and her life ended up going in a very different direction when her dog ran up to a stranger.
Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Supreme Court orders new trial for B.C. francophone who was not given French option
The Supreme Court is ordering a new trial for a francophone man in British Columbia who says he was not informed of his right to have a trial in the official language of his choice.