The Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Kelowna.

Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church - Kelowna

People of Ukrainian descent living in Kelowna are reeling following the news of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. According to the president of the Dolyna Ukrainian Cultural Society in Kelowna, they are upset and afraid for family members and friends in Ukraine.

Russia has launched a wide-ranging attack on Ukraine, hitting cities and military bases with airstrikes or shelling, as civilians piled into trains and cars to flee.

During a press conference today, Feb. 24, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada will be sending up to 460 troops to support NATO and is imposing further economic sanctions which will impact 58 Russian elites, their family members and two banks.

Trudeau also spoke with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and said immigration to Canada for Ukrainians will be made easier and a phone line is being set up today for anyone with urgent immigration questions. Canadians in Ukraine may be able to safely travel through land borders as Canada is working to issue travel documents for them to the neighbouring countries of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova.

READ MORE: Russia attacks Ukraine; peace in Europe 'shattered' 

Peter Bihun, president of the Dolyna Ukrainian Cultural Society, said he has cousins and friends in Western Ukraine who are “living in a state of terror.”

“They are very upset and afraid but most of them are standing strong and they’re going to hold their ground and fight, whatever it takes,” Bihun said, adding he’s worried about the children and families.

“Supply roads are going to be cut off… it’s a cold time of year, will they have heat, will they have gas, will they have electricity?”

Bihun is feeling "angry and upset," but said it wasn’t surprising to see Russia's movements in the Ukraine as Western societies have had a weak response to Russian aggression for years.

READ MORE: Live updates: Macron vows 'no weakness' in reply to Russia

“What was the old saying? A stitch in time saves nine? Well we’re at the nine-stage now."

What could have been fixed by imposing tougher sanctions on Russia and closing down their economy years ago now has reached the point where it will impact everyone, including those in Kelowna, he said.

“It’s time for us to get ready, to get busy and help Ukraine where we can,” he said.

Different organizations are gathering humanitarian aid for civilians as many are on the run, heading to surrounding countries to get away from the conflict, he said.

“Canada needs to wake up and start putting some resources into protecting this country and helping others where this aggression is occurring,” he said.

His family and friends are staying in Ukraine.

“It’s their country and their home. What would we be doing in Kelowna if tanks were going down Harvey Avenue. What do you think the response would be? What do you think people will be doing?” he said. “You can run away if you have a place to run to, if you have money to run, you can’t just go somewhere with bare clothes on your back.”

There are 30 families who are members of the Ukrainian society as well as two Ukrainian churches in Kelowna, Bihun said. There are 17,000 residents who have a Ukrainian background living in Kelowna, according to census data.

To help with humanitarian aid, Bihun is asking people search for the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

— With files from The Canadian Press.

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