Arizonans React To Russian Invasion Of Ukraine

TEMPE, AZ — Phoenicians with ties to Ukraine were quick to sound the alarm after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbor Thursday.

Members of the St. Mary's Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Phoenix planned a peaceful demonstration for 1 p.m. Thursday on the corner of Mill Avenue and University in Tempe. A Facebook post about the demonstrations asked attendees to wear Ukrainian clothes and to bring Ukrainian and American flags.

Church members have also planned a larger "Stand with Ukraine" protest for 1:30 p.m. Sunday, with a march from the Ukrainian Cultural Center at 730 W. Elm St., to the corner of Camelback and 7th Avenue.

"St. Mary’s Protectress along with the Phoenix branch of UCCA is calling all Ukrainians, Ukrainian-Americans, friends, and supporters of Ukraine from all over Arizona to come and show your solidarity with Ukraine, and support for its independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, including Crimea and the temporarily occupied regions of eastern Ukraine," organizers said in a Facebook post.

The goals of the protest are to demonstrate support of Ukrainian sovereignty and to demand an end to Russia's war in Ukraine and its occupation of Crimea and other territories in eastern Ukraine, according to the Facebook post.

In addition, the church is set to be open for prayer from 6- 8 p.m. Thursday and and 5-8 p.m. Friday.

In addition to Phoenicians with close ties to the country, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey was quick speak out against the Russian invasion.

"Arizona stands with the people of Ukraine," Ducey said Thursday. "Their cause is our cause. We join our nation and the free world in condemning the unprovoked act of aggression against them, and we are praying for every innocent life and a swift resolution to this conflict."

Russia's invasion included airstrikes on cities and military bases and sending troops and tanks from multiple directions. Ukraine’s government pleaded for help as civilians fled.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ignored global condemnation and new sanctions, and chillingly mentioned his country’s nuclear arsenal. He said that country trying to stop the invasion would see “consequences you have never seen.”

Arizonan Democrats were quick to join Ducey and leaders around the world in condemning the invasion.

"Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is unprovoked and unjust," Sen. Mark Kelly said Wednesday night. "I am thinking tonight of the Ukrainian people, who want nothing but peace, yet are now under attack and in a war for their homeland."

Ukrainian officials said their forces were battling Russians on a multiple fronts, and had lost control of the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the site of the world's worst nuclear disaster.

"Russia's illegal, unprovoked attacks on free and democratic Ukraine directly threaten American national security interests and the sovereignty of our allies," Sen. Kyrsten Sinema said on Thursday. "I support increased, aggressive sanctions and call on NATO and other democratic, peaceful countries to stand united in swift, decisive action against Russia's aggression."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.