Ottawa residents stand in solidarity with Ukraine outside Russian Embassy
Thousands of people marched from the Russian Embassy in Ottawa's Sandy Hill neighbourhood to City Hall, to stand united with Ukraine and protest Russia's invasion of the eastern European country.
"I'm here to show support to my friends and family who are in Ukraine," said one person while standing outside the Russian Embassy.
The "Ottawa Stands with Ukraine Rally and March" was one of several events held in Ottawa this weekend to denounce Russia's invasion of Ukraine last Thursday.
"The Ukrainian people will never back down and they will defeat this army day-by-day," Organizer Cassian Soltykevych told the crowd. "They will never give up."
The rally started in front of the Russian Embassy with speeches and the singing of the Ukrainian national anthem, before the crowd marched to Ottawa City Hall waiving the Ukrainian flag and carrying signs saying "Hands Off Ukraine", "Glory to Heroes" and "Long Live Ukraine."
At City Hall, the crowd chanted, "No Fly Zone over Ukraine", "Stop Putin, Stop the War", and "We Stand with Ukraine."
The rally ended with the singing of the Ukrainian anthem.
"I have family in Kyiv as we speak under bomb attack and actually sleeping a fourth night in bombing shelters without electricity or access to the internet," said Jane Rubina, who has family in Ukraine.
Rubina, who has lived in Ottawa for 25 years, says her family has been sending updates all week.
"The air isn't breathable around where they are. Millions of Ukrainians are forced to leave their homes," Rubina said, reading a message from family members.
Margaret Jenkins expressed anger with the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and wants Canada to help Ukraine.
"I think it’s terrible and atrocious what Putin led Russia is doing to Ukraine," Jenkins said.
"I think we should all stand up and protect civilians and by saying this is completely unacceptable .... Canada needs to be doing everything in its power to stop the war against Ukraine."
Interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen was one of several people who addressed the crowd outside the Russian Embassy.
Oksana, who works at the Ukraine Embassy in Ottawa, told Evan Solomon, host of CTV's Question Period and Power Play, "We are extremely grateful for the Canadian support we received today here."
Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Lisa MacLeod attended the rally with her youngest staffer.
"His parents are in a bomb shelter and his 78-year-old grandfather has enlisted to defend his country," MacLeod said on Twitter.
Last Thursday, Russian President Putin launched a military operation against its neighbour. In a televised address, Putin said the attack was needed to protect civilians from eastern Ukraine.
On Sunday, Canada closed its airspace to Russian aircraft, effective immediately. On Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced sanctions on Putin and his Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for the country's attack on Ukraine.
With files from The Associated Press
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
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.