Ukraine Supporters Gather At Colorado Capitol In Response To Russian Invasion

By Sara Wilson, Colorado Newsline

February 24, 2022

Under a clear blue sky and surrounded by fresh snow, a bit over 100 people gathered Thursday afternoon on the steps of the Capitol to show solidarity with Ukraine as it withstands an invasion from Russian military forces.

Most were Ukrainian Americans worried for their home country and family stuck in the escalating violence. Some were Russian or Belarusian, there to show opposition to the actions of those country’s leaders. All were united in the hope for a peaceful, free Ukraine.

“It feels like a dream, to be honest. Every time I talk to my family, I’m nervous it might be the last time. I just don’t know,” said Chrystia Losianovich, who went to the rally with her 16-month old daughter, Sofia.

The attendees wrapped themselves in the blue and yellow Ukrainian flag or held miniature versions, sang the county’s national anthem and held signs with messages like “Stop Russian aggression” and “Putin is a Killer.”

Russian forces began their attack on Ukraine before dawn on Thursday in what Russian President Vladimir Putin called a “special military operation.” Putin unleashed airstrikes on various cities and military bases in an effort to dismantle the county’s military infrastructure. The number of casualties and scope of destruction so far is not known for certain.

Losianovich moved from Lviv to the United States in 1993 when she was 10. She said she has been in constant communication with her family back in the western Ukrainian city, including her military cousins who have since been called up for active duty.

“Honestly, they are all saying that they feel alone,” she said of those family members. “As much as they want the West to help, it just doesn’t seem like it’s coming. The economic sanctions are just not enough, clearly.”

President Joe Biden announced harsh new economic sanctions against Russia on Thursday. Other ally countries, including the United Kingdom, are imposing their own sanctions.

It feels like a dream, to be honest. Every time I talk to my family, I’m nervous it might be the last time. I just don’t know.

– Chrystia Losianovich, who has family in Ukraine

Other attendees also questioned whether economic penalties would be enough of a deterrent.

“Before this Russian attack, they said they supported Ukraine,” Artem Ostrikov, who moved to the United States approximately three years ago, said of American leadership. “Ukraine is one-on-one with Russian aggression. What they can do at least is the huge economic impact and, if possible, any military help.”

“The president and Congress can make a direct impact on the situation. Right now, we don’t feel it,” he said.

A crowd made of mostly Ukrainian Americans gathered on Feb. 24 at the Colorado State Capitol to show solidarity with the country as Russia continues its invasion. (Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline)

Tetiama Korkina attended the rally with her husband, Viktor, and her son Vladimir. The family moved from the Ukrainian city Kharkiv, which experienced airstrikes, late last summer. She said she doesn’t “have enough words” to explain her frustration towards the situation, because of both a limited English vocabulary and an intense emotional reaction.

“Ukraine is an independent country,” she said. “Nobody can go there with forces and an army. It’s impossible in our century with our democratic rules.”

Lisa Ripa moved to the United States when she was 7. She said that as she watched the events unfold on the news last night, her mother called family members in Kiev to alert them. She ended up waking up a cousin and telling her about the invasion in time for her to leave the city before intense gridlock.

“We’ve all been waiting for something, but we didn’t realize it was happening. She was on a work trip. Everyone was going about their business, living their life,” Ripa said.

Irina Rastello moved from Russia 15 years ago and showed up Thursday as part of her political activism against Putin’s regime.

“I feel embarrassed,” she said. “I don’t even know how to look into the eyes of Ukrainian people right now. Even though Putin doesn’t represent me, he is the current sitting president. I just want to show my support as much as I can to the Ukrainian community.”

Rally-goers cheered for the honking cars along Lincoln Street as they passed, shared stories with one another about their life and families and chanted a Ukrainian national salute: “Slava Ukrainii, heroiam slava!” It means “Glory to Ukraine, glory to the heroes!”

“All Ukrainians want is peace and freedom,” Losianovich said. “That’s all they want.”

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