A rally for Ukraine was held on the Harvey Avenue overpass near Parkinson Recreation Centre, March 6, 2022.

(CARLI BERRY / iNFOnews.ca)

A Kelowna man heading to support Ukraine will get a free plane ticket to the country and will be provided with equipment, according to a private organization gathering the funds.

Organizer Dennis Storozhuk, of the Kelowna Stands With Ukraine Facebook group, said roughly $60,000 has been raised for body armour, tactical first-aid kits, helmets and other supplies for the volunteer Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces as of March 6. 

Russia invaded Ukraine last month, causing more than a million people to flee the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for foreigners to join an "international brigade" to defeat Russia.

The group is funding the Kelowna man’s plane ticket and equipment there but the man would like to keep a low profile because of concern if Russia takes control of the country, he would be easily identified. He leaves for Ukraine tomorrow, March 7, Storozhuk said.

“He could not just sit here, nobody of us can,” Storozhuk said. Storozhuk also offered to go to Ukraine as he has some military experience but when in contact with friends and relatives they told him he’s more important in Canada with his fundraising efforts, he said. He is originally from Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital but has lived in Kelowna for 21 years.

“As soon as we found he was willing to go, we got in contact with him and offered to sponsor him,” Storozhuk said, adding they are also be sending extra equipment with him to the country and will pay for the extra airfare to transport it there.

The Ukrainian-Canadian will first go to West Ukraine and will decide from there where to go.

Penticton resident Gordon De Roos waves signs showing his support for Ukraine in Kelowna, March 6, 2022.

(CARLI BERRY / iNFOnews.ca)

The group has been purchasing and mailing tactical gear directly to Poland, Storozhuk said.

Kelowna Stands With Ukraine is collecting donations through the Ukrainian Catholic Church and will be holding a yard sale of what can’t be used through donations to raise more funds, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has warned Canadians against fighting for Russia in Ukraine, saying anyone who does so could face severe consequences.

The deputy prime minister said Canada believes Russia's attack is illegal, implying anyone fighting for the Russian side could be breaking international law.

However, Defence Minister Anita Anand said there are uncertainties around whether it is legal for Canadians to fight for the Ukrainian side.

Many Canadians have been answering the Ukrainian government's call for volunteers to help defend the country, she said.

A woman waves a Ukrainian flag in the middle of Harvey Avenue March, 6, 2022.

(CARLI BERRY / iNFOnews.ca)

At a rally on Sunday, roughly 300 people gathered at the pedestrian overpass along Harvey Avenue to show support for Ukraine, one of many that have been ongoing around the Thompson Okanagan and the globe.

Peter Bihun, president of Dolyna Ukrainian Cultural Society, the organization that held this specific rally, said they are collecting donations for the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, which is providing aid for Ukraine.

The cultural society is also gathering a list of area residents who will host Ukrainian refugees once they arrive.

“Soon the refugees will be arriving and they’re going to have to place them somewhere and there are many people who have volunteered,” Bihun said. He doesn’t yet have the numbers of how many refugees will arrive in the city.

- With files from The Canadian Press

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