SAN DIEGO — As the situation in Ukraine continues to unfold, Ukrainians living in San Diego say they feel helpless and are worried about their family and friends. People gathered outside the San Diego County Administration building Thursday protesting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the House of Ukraine in Balboa Park opened its doors, specifically to offer a place for others to go. San Diego has a large Ukrainian population, many of whom still have family and friends living there.
"I feel my soul is being ripped apart. I feel like somebody just put their hand and ripped my heart then and there. It's everything I love, everyone I love in danger right now," said Yulia Puchko Wilson.
Puchko Wilson has been in touch with loved ones in Ukraine, including her sister, father and grandmother. She said there's a lot of fear right now, and for many people, it's difficult to leave, including Puchko Wilson's sister.
"She and her family, they wanted to leave the city but they weren't able to. There were long lines at the gas stations, huge traffic jams, and they felt so exposed in a car that they felt safer to return….and they live in a high rise," she said.
Standing united in downtown San Diego near the county administration building park, a couple dozen Ukrainian Americans made their voices heard against the Russian attacks on Ukraine, chanting, "Stop killing Ukrainians!” and "Do not be silent, Putin go home.”
Sergiy Trydid has lived in the U.S for 10 years but fears for his family in Ukraine.
"We need more support. We are just desperate, and it is so hard to see them being helpless when you see all of my relatives and all of my friends and now, they're being in the basement and sending this to me that they didn't sleep this whole night,” Trydid said.
Sergiy says his sister's home was just destroyed in Kyiv, and “his sister is there with her kid and they are in the bomb shelter right now."
Heartbroken as he gets text messages from his sister, Sergiy says he is shocked his home country is in war.
“She is saying that we are waiting for the missile from the airplanes right now, and this is the 21st Century, how could this happen?” Trydid said.
The group of Ukrainian Americans banded together holding flags and signs and signing the Ukrainian national anthem on the sidewalk.
“I know people are more concerned about the markets and the price of oil, and a lot of people have been hurting for a long time with the pandemic and inflation, but this is a life and death situation. Sanctions are not enough. We have to do something now because tomorrow may be too late,” said Inna Zozulyak, a Ukrainian American of 20 years.
Zozulyak says she is worried about her sister and niece in Ukraine.
"It's very scary because even talking to them, I mean, I can hear the sirens, and I can hear the blasts,” said Zozulyak, who lives in San Diego with her daughter.
She sends money for medical and tactical supplies to the Ukrainian Army and says rallying with other local Ukrainians is more comforting than crying at home and worrying.
“It's very sort of primal fear. It's not just like something is going to happen, they have lived like that for a long time with that uncertainty, but right now, it is fear for your life,” Zozulyak said.
Puchko Wilson’s sister and her family plan to take refuge in a bomb shelter at the school she works at. Despite what's happening, Puchko Wilson says the people in Ukraine stand behind their military 100 percent.
WATCH: Full interview with Ukrainian born, Yulia Puchko Wilson:
Many feel as though they will successfully defend themselves against the Russians. Still, she said it's crucial for the world to come together and show their support.
RELATED: Ukrainian Americans worry about loved ones near the front lines
"What I want most is for American people to care," she said. "The Ukrainians feel they’re alone. They shouldn’t be alone in this. They are standing up for the right values. They’re standing up to dictatorship. They’re standing up for freedom for their children. We need to show them they’re not alone. It's very important."
There will be a prayer service held Thursday, February 24th at 5 p.m. at:
- 9308 Carlton Oaks Dr, Santee, CA 92071
On Friday, February 25th, there will be a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. at:
- House of Ukraine in Balboa Park
- Address: 667 Pan American Rd W, San Diego, CA 92101
The National Bank of Ukraine has opened a special account to raise funds for the Ukrainian Army. The account is multi-currency. It is opened for transfers of funds from international partners and donors, any person as well as from Ukrainian business and citizens.
For donations in USD:
SWIFT Code NBU: NBUA UA UX
JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, New York
SWIFT Code: CHASUS33
Account: 400807238
383 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10179, USA Bank account: UA843000010000000047330992708