Buffalo, NY (WBEN) A lot has been going through the mind of Dnipro Ukrainian Cultural Center President Emil Brandiwsky since the Russian invasion began a week ago. Now, a WNY contingent will head to Washington this weekend for a rally.
Brandiwsky says he was shocked when he first heard of the attack. "It's irrational. The war was unnecessary, unprovoked," says Brandiwsky, who adds Ukrainians aren't the only ones are suffering. "It's also horrible for Russian people, because now, you have a small group of criminals at the top of the Russian power structure, and the people once again are going to suffer and some Russians have protested in the street, they've already arrested I don't know, 6000 of them," notes Brandiwsky. He adds Russia has cut off the internet. He says it's also horrible for eastern Europe, as there are now more than a million refugees in neighboring countries.
Brandiwsky says WNY's Ukrainian community will head to Washington this weekend. "It's to bring awareness and show unity and assure support for the Ukrainian people," says Brandiwsky. He says people will be driving down individually, and some will stay over on Monday to talk to their senators and congressmen.
Brandiwsky says fundraising efforts have been swift since last week's invasion. "Money is coming in everyday, as of (Thursday) we have raised $40,000," he says. That money needs to go to send humanitarian supplies and first aid kits to help frontline paramedics in Ukraine. There's also an event tonight at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Buffalo. "We'll have an information update at 7pm, and about 7"30 we're going to show a movie called "Cyborgs" about Ukrainian volunteers that defended the Donetsk airport in 2014 from the Russian invasion at that time," says Brandiwsky.
He says the owners of the Hofbrauhaus in downtown Buffalo will host a fundraiser next Thursday, and on Palm Sunday, the Buffalo Irish Center will host an event to raise funds for Ukraine. Details are forthcoming.
Brandiwsky urges you to avoid fake news, and say a prayer for Ukraine.
