Gathering to highlight ‘genocide' in Ukraine
Ukrainians living in Cavan gathered together in solidarity over Russia's invasion of their homeland, ongoing since February 2022, on Saturday last.
Their main aim was to highlight the suffering caused after Russia fired a barrage of missiles on July 8 hitting Okhmatdyt, the country’s largest children’s hospital.
Thousands of children, including those with cancer, undergo treatment at the hospital every year. Following the attack, the building’s roof collapsed, killing at least two hospital workers one of whom is understood to have been a doctor. At least 16 people were reported wounded including seven children.
Speaking to The Anglo-Celt, Sergiy Balan, President of the Association of Ukrainians in the Republic of Ireland - who resides in Cavan - highlighted the hurt the incident caused to Ukrainians living here.
“On Saturday, we were supporting each other,” he said before adding that “Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians” while the EU and US are failing to provide natives on the frontline with the firepower they need to fight back.
“We really want attention brought to what happened at the hospital because it is not acceptable.”
Mr Balan went on to say that, with each passing day, “more and more Ukranians are dying on the frontline”.
“This,” he added, “is because of the lack of weapons support from America and the EU."
While figures vary, according to different sources, the war has killed more than 11,100 civilians to date and injured more than twice that number.
“Ukranians feel that, by coming together, we can highlight the need to stop this war. There have been a lot of deaths and a lot of losses in Ukraine. This genocide in Ukraine must stop. Ukranians are now fighting for their freedom.”
Mr Balan highlighted how more gatherings will be taking place locally over the coming months. He says the effort is to create awareness around the plight of Ukranians and encourage the provision of necessary supports that could ultimately lead to peace in his homeland.