People in northern Ontario with ties to Ukraine keep a close eye on border tensions
People in northern Ontario with ties to Ukraine are keeping an anxious eye on border tensions with Russia, and are hoping things can be resolved peacefully.
Sonia Peczeniuk is secretary for the Ukrainian National Federation in Sudbury. Both her mother and father were born in Ukraine.
Peczeniuk said she is disappointed the situation has escalated to this point. Russia has amassed a huge number of soldiers and equipment near its border with Ukraine, as western countries warn of consequences should an invasion take place.
While the world is paying close attention now, Peczeniuk said problems have been brewing for a long time.
"This is a situation that has been place since 2014 -- that’s eight years," she said.
"Since that time, there have been 13,000 people killed, 30,000 wounded and 1.5 million people internally displaced … During all of this time, there has been ongoing conversations between the United States and the NATO powers, etc., trying to get a resolution."
Peczeniuk said she has roughly 30 family members still in Ukraine and said what she has heard is that citizens in the area are starting to arm themselves.
"So if they can, they are buying guns, ammunition, but in the villages in particular they are not well off and they’re going to use pitchforks or whatever they have to defend themselves," she said.
Orest Lawryniw from Timmins also has family and friends in Ukraine. He said they are telling him people are not overly concerned about a Russian invasion at this time, but are preparing themselves anyway.
"They are hoping it’s going to be resolved and they don’t seem to feel like it’s going to be a conflict that will happen -- they are hoping it won’t happen," said Lawryniw.
“I think with the world reacting the way they are and basically standing up to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and saying, 'if you do this, we’re going to put sanctions on you and take some action.' Hopefully, he will back down because he has a huge alliance of people that are up against him right now."
Both Peczeniuk and Lawryniw are hoping it can all be resolved before any serious conflict takes place.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Arrest made, manslaughter charge pending in 2022 death of Calgary toddler
Calgary police have arrested a man and a charge is pending in connection with the death of a toddler in 2022.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson Airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
Prince William returns to public duties after wife Kate's cancer revelation
Prince William will return to public duties on Thursday for the first time since his wife Kate revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
Russia reports downing 5 Ukrainian military balloons in Kyiv's latest apparent war innovation
Russian air defences downed what authorities described as five Ukrainian balloons overnight, the defence ministry in Moscow said Thursday, as the sides kept up long-range strikes that have featured heavily in what has largely become a war of attrition.