DETROIT (WWJ) -- Ukrainian-Americans in Michigan, along with state and local leaders, are among those who watched with dread, dismay and disbelief on Thursday as Russia carried out a large-scale attack on Ukraine.
"I'm angry, I'm frustrated, I'm sad and I'm horrified," said Mykola Murskyj, chair of the Ukrainian-American Crisis Response Committee of Michigan.
Murskyj, who has family in Ukraine, told WWJ's Armetta Landrum that Russian leaders have chosen war over diplomacy.
"There was no need for this to happen; there's absolutely no need for this to happen. This is completely senseless violence. It's not going to lead to anything productive, and it's just gonna cost people's lives," Murskyj said.
According to 2019 Census data, there are more than 39,000 Ukrainian-Americans living in Michigan, where reaction has been coming in members of the state's Congressional delegation.
“I share the horror of the many Ukrainian-Americans in Michigan of this brutal, unprovoked, and unjustified attack by President Putin on the people of Ukraine. America will stand strong with all of our allies to do everything we can to protect their freedom and independence and save lives," Senator Debbie Stabenow said in a statement.
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On a Zoom call, Stabenaw added: "Russia has decided to come in and essentially attack, and there will be so many deaths and so much destruction. And it's completely unprovoked, and completely Russia's responsibility for what happens going forward."
Ukraine's government said Russian tanks and troops rolled across the border in a “full-scale war” that could rewrite the geopolitical order and whose fallout already reverberated around the world, the Associated Press reported.
Russia's Defense Ministry said the Russian military has destroyed 74 Ukrainian military facilities, including 11 air bases, since the attacks began early Thursday.
Ukrainian native and Oakland University Professor Tara Oleksyk told WWJ's Greg Bowman we've witnessed a turning point in world history.
"This is a global conflict and it's a conflict for values. Everybody in American has to understand that," he said. "The rules have changed yesterday; it's a different picture. We must choose sides, and we should not have any half measures."
Oleksyk said he's been in touch with friend and family in Ukraine, including an OU student.
"My student today called me. She was taking her husband and their friends to a hospital to donate blood. They were talking about helping on the ground," Oleksyk said. "My brother-in-law went and joined the territorial defense forces, which is when people join into a militia to defend their home."
Rep. Haley Stevens, a Democrat representing Michigan's 11th Congressional District, wrote: "Watching in horror while praying for the brave people of Ukraine tonight. The United States and Allies stand with Ukraine. Democracy must prevail and Vladimir Putin will be held accountable."
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Murskyj said local Ukrainian-American are planning a rally at 5 p.m. Thursday at St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic in Warren in support of their loved ones overseas.
He asked Michiganders to pray for the safety of the Ukrainian people, and for the resolution of what he calls senseless violence.
"It's entirely a war that Putin decided to start himself for no discernable reason, other than the fake ones that he articulated," Murskyj said. "It's shocking. It's the kind of empire building behavior that belongs in the 17-and 1800s, and not in 2022."
"This means that we now live in a different kind of world. This is not just a wakeup call for Ukraine or for people of Eastern European decent here in the U.S. This is a wakeup call for all of us," Murskyj added. "We have a rogue state. We have another rogue state in the world."
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Congressman John Moolenaar, a Republican who represents Michigan's 4th congressional district, said Vladimir Putin is attacking Ukraine "to oppress the free people who live there and to take their country from them."
He said U.S. Congress must and the White House must react.
"The consequences for this invasion must be swift and I stand ready to support harsh sanctions on Putin and his officials for this attack. The Biden Administration must not be weak and it must act with determined resolve to enforce sanctions. Finally, it must do everything it can to get every American citizen out of harm’s way as quickly as possible," Moolenaar added.
Speaking live on WWJ Newsradio 950, Republican Congressman Peter Meijer, who represents Michigan's 3rd congressional district, said Russia may retaliate against the U.S. — in the form of cyber attacks or other moves — and we should be ready.
"That is the risk that frankly we have to be willing to take right now," Meijer said. "Because Russia holding those threats over our heads, it's what has allowed them to operate with a sense of impunity which has allowed
Meijer said earlier sanctions announced by the White House against Russia clearly did nothing to deter Putin from carrying out his plans.
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