Hundreds came out in support of Ukraine outside of the Legislative Building in Regina on Feb. 25, 2022. (Britton Gray/980 CJME)

By Britton Gray, CJME News

Hundreds gather in Regina to show support for Ukraine

Feb 26, 2022 | 9:24 AM

Blue and yellow were prominent colours outside the Legislative Building in Regina on Friday.

Hundreds attended a rally to show support for Ukraine, with many waving Ukrainian flags. Chants calling for an end to the war and to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin rang out along with the Ukrainian national anthem.

Rally organizer Anastasiia Sheichuk is from Ukraine. She came to Regina in 2019 to pursue a master’s degree in public policy.

She said she found out the news Russia had invaded her homeland on Wednesday night from her boyfriend, who also had family in Ukraine.

“He said to me that Russia was bombing Ukraine and I was speechless. I just couldn’t believe it,” Sheichuk said. “My family and friends are in Ukraine right now.

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“They suffer tremendously, some of them waiting in the shelters. My parents sleep fully dressed and waiting for whatever will happen — whether there will be bombing or something.”

She said she remains in contact with her friends and family in Ukraine.

Rally organizer Anastasiia Sheichuk speaks outside the Legislative Building on Feb. 25, 2022. (Britton Gray/980 CJME)

“My parents went to check for the nearest shelters and everything because there was some information (the Russian forces) may be bombing the airport near there,” Sheichuk said.

Sheichuk said her body was trembling and shaking from what she was hearing.

“Why should it be happening? For what reason? There’s no excuse, no reason for this. This is the most brutal crime someone can do,” Sheichuk said.

She said the world needs to unite to fight back against the Russian invasion.

“What Putin did, it is not just an attack for Ukraine, this is an attack on the whole world. He disrespects everything and everyone and every international organization and agreement,” Sheichuk said. “The whole world should unite to fight back and show that we are (standing) in solidarity and there is no tolerance for these actions in this world.”

She called on all countries to impose sanctions on Russian politicians and oligarchs and for courts to sentence Putin for war crimes against Ukraine.

Vitaly Jaroshevsky and Vitaly Shevron were out with the red and white Belarus flag to show that other nationalities are standing with Ukraine.

“Unfortunately, the insane dictator of Belarus provided our beautiful Belorussian land to Putin to use for aggression and war against the people of Ukraine. It is a real tragedy for all of us and we can’t just (stand and watch). That’s why we are here today, to support our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and support our brothers and sisters here,” Jaroshevsky said. “We believe that freedom will win.”

A Ukrainian priest speaks at the rally outside the Legislative Building in Regina on Feb. 25, 2022. (Britton Gray/980 CJME)

“The government has to be vocal and tell the truth to Canadian people about what is really going on and what Putin is doing against the Ukrainian country. It must be transparent and must be brought to all of us and hopefully, the other Western world is going to be able to hear and see what is happening now. This guy leading Russia is a maniac,” Shevrov added. “Nobody knows what he is doing next. Knowing that, we have to know that the Westerners could be next.”

Sheichuk said all Ukrainians are against Russia trying to take the country.

“We are standing for a free Ukraine. We are a sovereign country and we have a choice to decide what we do. They are just there invading us, attacking us and just making the most horrible crimes,” Sheichuk said.

“People like (Putin) don’t stop. He wants power, he wants to do whatever he wants and he needs to be stopped.”