Ukrainian servicemen stand by a deactivated Russian military multiple rocket launcher on the outskirts of Kharkiv, Ukraine, Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. (The Canadian Press/AP/Vadim Ghirda)

By Alex Rawnsley

UKRAINE-RUSSIA CONFLICT

‘Almost this sense of guilt:’ Nanaimo Ukrainians watch on helplessly as homeland invaded by Russian forces

Feb 27, 2022 | 5:53 AM

NANAIMO — As Russian troops and missiles continue to poor into Ukraine, part of an unprovoked assault on the country, Ukrainians abroad are watching on helplessly.

Father Yuriy Vyshnevskyy of the Ukranian St. Michael Catholic church in Nanaimo was born and raised in the country. His parents and siblings, along with many of his wife’s family still reside there.

He said he’s felt helpless and guilty watching Russia invade his home.

“For those first nights…we went to bed but every five minutes you’re waking up, you can’t sleep and you feel like you have to do something…almost this sense of guilt, I’m sleeping and these people across the ocean, they have to go through all of this.”

Many reside in the western part of the country, which as of the weekend had been spared a direct assault by troops but was still the site of bombing raids.

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Russian troops on Saturday, Feb. 26 advanced closer to the capital of Kyiv, in the north-central part of the country. Thousands of people, including many civilians, have been injured or killed through clashes with Russian military or missile strikes.

Vyshnevskyy said Russia was targeting airports and infrastructure well beyond the area they initially claimed as their own.

“Initially people were told by the Russian President [Vladamir Putin] it was just the east because there was some oppression, some genocide but they’re claims that are just mind boggling. It’s evil, what this man is speaking.”

The constant coverage on air and online has un-nerved Ukrainians and Canadians with Ukranian descent locally.

Vyshnevskyy runs regular services at churches in both Victoria and Nanaimo, with attendance spiking from expats and supporters.

The church has added some services in a bid to accommodate the increase in demand.

“People just want to hear some words of comfort. I receive a lot of emails and phone calls…people offering different ways they can help. One of the messages, someone was ready to take family of refugees if there was a need from Ukraine.”

The church isn’t actively fundraising themselves, with Vyshnevskyy instead steering people to larger organizations already set up.

Comforting those who need it and staying in touch with friends and family back home are filling the days for Vyshnevskyy, but it’s a frustrating time.

“It’s not something distant to us. Especially being that far away, you often feel you could do more if you were there and here across the ocean, often you feel like you’re not doing enough.”

He called those fighting in the country the modern day saints, the new Holy people.

“The level of bravery and this self-sacrifice and saying ‘this is my land’ and what these people are doing by exercising their God given right defending their country, they are truly the new martyrs of this century.”

— with files from Jordan Davidson

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alex@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley