The Syrian community in Edinburgh gathered at Bristo Square on Sunday, December 8, to celebrate what they see as a turning point for their homeland: the fall of Bashar al-Assad regime and dictatorship in Syria. A vibrant crowd danced, sang, and celebrated the pivotal declaration of the capital city of Damascus as “free” by Syrian rebel forces, marking an end to years of tyranny.
Sophie, who was forced to move to Portugal due to Russian aggression, has turned her daily life into a platform for supporting Ukrainian soldiers. In the second part of her interview for Truthful Reporting, she shares her volunteer journey and efforts to promote Ukrainian culture, from her initial events to successful fundraisers. Her meticulous planning and effective communication have helped raise over 18 million hryvnias (430k+ USD) in aid for Ukraine. Sophie shares her experiences, instructions for effective fundraising, and future plans, urging active support and cooperation to aid Ukraine.
In Portugal resides 21-year-old Sophie, a Ukrainian volunteer who was forced to leave Kyiv due to the full-scale Russian invasion. Today, she is actively developing the Ukrainian community in Portugal, garnering resources to support the Ukrainian army. Together with her friends, Sophie has already raised over 18 million hryvnias (430k+ USD) to aid Ukraine and considers this just the beginning. In this article, we will learn about Sophie’s adaptation in Portugal, her life in the diaspora, as well as the development of Ukrainian business, creativity, and volunteering through the eyes of a young activist.
In Scotland resides Nadiia, a 20-year-old Ukrainian student, who was compelled to leave her homeland due to the onset of a large-scale Russian invasion in 2022. Since then, Nadiia has become an active participant in events supporting Ukraine, holding the position of vice president of the Glasgow University Ukrainian Society. Alongside her team, she assists in organizing various events aimed at bolstering Ukrainian military support, fostering community engagement, and promoting Ukrainian culture in Scotland. In this interview, we delve into her life in a new country, her efforts to cultivate the university community, and her perspectives on aiding Ukraine amidst Russian aggression.
Edinburgh Spiders initiative serves as a beacon of civic solidarity, bringing together young individuals from various backgrounds to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. These centers, dedicated to weaving camouflage nets for the military in Edinburgh, have been operational for several years, attracting hundreds of visitors and volunteers from both Ukrainian and local communities. Anna, Daria, Olena, and Vasyl stand among them, each driven by their own motivations, volunteer experiences, and aspirations for the future. Their involvement in this center transcends mere support; it symbolizes a profound solidarity with those who courageously defend Ukraine’s freedom and independence.
In the very heart of Scotland, in the city of Glasgow, lives and studies Anna Konovalenko – a Ukrainian who has personally experienced the consequences of the Russian war. The beginning of the invasion forced her to leave her native Kyiv and go abroad in search of safety. She is currently furthering her education at the University of the West of Scotland, focusing on studying journalism and joining volunteer initiatives in support of Ukraine at the same time. In this piece, she will share her impressions and thoughts about how she continues to work for the victory of Ukraine, even while abroad and will reveal the role of journalism in this context.
More than 500 individuals gathered for a solidarity rally with Ukraine in Edinburgh, commemorating the second anniversary of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. The initiative “Ukrainian Victory Campaign” alongside local activists, organized a demonstration “United for Ukraine – Together to Victory” near the Consulate General of Russia in Edinburgh on February 24, 2024.
During the unfolding Russian war in Ukraine, the story of Kateryna Sementsova, who hails from the Donetsk region, takes on profound significance. It’s crucial to note that for over a decade, this region has been embroiled in a Russian war. Amid instability and danger, Kateryna has become a refugee more than once. Her narrative not only reflects her struggle for survival during wartime but also underscores the importance of preserving cultural heritage and self-awareness amidst migration.
In a show of solidarity, Ukrainians gathered in the heart of Scotland’s capital to protest against the relentless Russian shelling targeting Ukrainian cities. The Ukrainian Victory Campaign organized the demonstration on January 3, uniting dozens of Ukrainians from various regions of Scotland outside the Russian Consulate General in Edinburgh.
The history of the modern Donetsk region has deep roots intertwined with the history of the Ukrainian people. Russian occupiers faced resistance from the pro-Ukrainian movement in Donetsk.
The “Out at Camp” is a safe and inclusive space for adults who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ and are united by their love for outdoor activities in the Canadian capital city of Ottawa.
Angela and Nadia are Canadian activists who protest every day under the Russian embassy in Canada against a ruthless invasion that takes Ukrainians’ lives every day. They organize protests, political actions, take part in helping the Ukrainian community in Ottawa and believe in Ukraine’s victory over the Russian occupiers
Nataliya has been a resident of Canada for over two decades, and she plays a pivotal role in organizing protests within the Canadian-Ukrainian community in Ottawa. Additionally, she is the driving force behind the non-profit charity «Ottawa Supports Ukraine — OSUDemocracy.»
Tetiana, a 25-year-old Ukrainian woman, arrived in Canada just a year ago. Prior to the war, she was involved in the legal migration services business. Residing in Ottawa, Tetiana has embarked on a path of resilience and transformation. With a determined spirit, she now serves as an invaluable employment consultant within an organization dedicated to empowering newcomers, enabling them to forge brighter futures and acclimate swiftly to their new surroundings. Beyond work, Tetiana is a passionate activist, orchestrating events to support Ukraine against Russian aggression. Her journey epitomizes dedication and solidarity.
Alona, at 33 years old, stands as a courageous Ukrainian woman who braved a large-scale Russian offensive in the Kyiv region and then found the strength to embark on a new life in Canada. In Ottawa, Alona adeptly manages two jobs while concurrently aiding fellow Ukrainians in acquiring English language proficiency and navigating their transition to a new life.
Українець Іван Пилипчук, який нещодавно прибув до Канади, потрапив до лікарні в результаті ножового поранення, яке він отримав від незнайомого нападника в Канадському місті Едмонтон, 13 квітня 2023 року. Як повідомляє ЗМІ “The National Post”, чоловік був на порозі смерті, але його вдалось врятувати лікарям, а місцева Канадсько-українська спільнота зібрала понад 120 тисяч доларів на […]
Понад 200 000 громадян України в’їхали до Канади за гуманітарною візою CUAET наземним або повітряним транспортом у період з 1 січня 2022 року до 9 квітня 2023 року, повідомляє Агенція прикордонної служби Канади. За даними канадського уряду, Канада отримала понад 900 тисяч заявок на візу CUAET, і схвалила 665,777 заявки станом на квітень 2023 року. […]
Конфіскувати російський вантажний літак АН-124 та передати його Україні було вирішено за результатами перемовин між Українським та Канадським урядом, 16 квітня, повідомив Прем’єр-міністр України Денис Шмигаль. Український уряд провів серію переговорів з Канадським та Американським урядом, у квітні 2023 року, щодо розширення санкцій проти Російської Федерації в умовах масштабного російського вторгнення. Одним з предметом переговорів […]
The life of Ukrainian men and women in Canada and Germany after the beginning of the large-scale Russian invasion is a relevant topic in view of the current sociopolitical climate. The proposed project aims to shed light on the experience of Ukrainian men and women who settled in Canada and Germany after the start of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Canada is home to the largest Ukrainian diaspora in the world, which strives to preserve its cultural and national identity. This is made possible by the tireless efforts of Ukrainian and Canadian volunteers. The traditional Ukrainian Easter egg painting series of workshops at the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Ottawa is an amazing example of how ordinary people are making positive changes in the community. In this article, I talk about the experience and motivation of the Ukrainian-Canadian community in Ottawa that organized Pysanka Workshops to support Ukrainian culture during the full-scale Russian invasion.
Amid the chaos and destruction caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, millions of people have been forced to flee their homes and seek safe haven elsewhere. One of them is Kyrylo, a 24-year-old Ukrainian who found himself in Canada. Despite being thousands of miles away from his homeland, Kyrylo has not forgotten his roots and continues to help his fellow Ukrainians in any way he can. From financially supporting his friends at the front line to mobilizing the local Ukrainian community, Kyrylo’s story is one of resilience, adaptation, and generosity. In this exclusive interview, Kyrylo shares his experience about finding a new home in Canada and advises Ukrainians who plan to follow in his footsteps.
When the full-scale russian invasion broke out in Ukraine in February 2022, many Ukrainians were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in other countries. Among them was a 23-year-old Yuliia Siemak from Mykolaiv, who found herself in Ottawa, Canada.
On January 12, 2023, the Ukrainian center “Maidan Market” was reopened in Ottawa, which will provide information assistance to Ukrainian newcomers in Canada, who fled the Russian inv…
Today we share with you a story of a Ukrainian woman who after the start of Russian full scale invasion was able to start a new life in England with her three children and opened her own business.
We spoke with Olexandra, who was in Kyiv in the first hours of the invasion and was able to evacuate a little later and start a new life in Scotland.
I had a conversation with a girl from Mykolayiv who woke up on the morning of February 24th to the sound of artillery fire. Yulia had a long way to evacuate to Scotland, but many of her friends and relatives are currently in Ukraine.
On the condition of anonymity, I spoke with several LGBT+ people from the occupied Donbas about their life and childhood, which coincided with the beginning of the war.
I spoke with Oleksiy, a Ukrainian student in Kyiv, a volunteer of the international charitable organization “Red Cross”, who has been helping victims of hostilities since the beginning of the war.
Today we spoke with Oleksandra Romankiv, who was in Kharkiv in the first hours of the invasion and after some time was able to evacuate and start a new life in Scotland.
