The Ukrainian Catholic community in Adamstown can do nothing but watch on in horror as tragic scenes unfold in their ancestral homeland of Ukraine.
On February 24, Russia launched a large-scale military invasion in their country, in a move that signalled a threat to global democracy and the nation’s independence.
Despite rising tensions in the region, Wolodymyr Motyka from Newcastle’s Ukrainian Catholic Church community said local Ukrainians “wanted to be wrong” about a potential war in their homeland.
Now, he said, their worst nightmares had come true.
“There are feelings of great emotional disturbance and upset in our community because the world has become a smaller place when we can watch the conflict unfolding in real-time through our screens,” Motyka said.
“(Among) my distant relations – the males have had to stay to fight, and the women and children have had to flee,” he said.
Motyka said that there was “no provocation” to the assault.
“Ukrainians didn’t do anything – they were trying to make a life out of the wreckage that the Soviet Union had created after its collapse in 1991, and among Baltic countries, Ukraine declared independence,” he said.
The community condemned the recent “barbaric killings” of citizens by Russian forces, who Motyka said had so far unleashed attacks on kindergartens and civilian housing complexes during the conflict.
“A few nights ago, the Russians sent their missiles into multi-storey civilian apartments in the city … it’s not a military base; it’s just ordinary people’s apartments,” Motyka said.
“They sent rockets into them and destroyed it … this is housing for people with children, women, grandparents …. it’s a crime against humanity.”
He implored the Federal Government to increase weaponry support and offer timely financial and humanitarian aid.
“Send medications, send people into neighbouring countries to assist humanitarian efforts there, and open the doors like the Australian government did when they brought waves of displaced people here in WWII,” he said.
He said the local Ukrainian community would also like to see temporary visas granted to Ukrainian nationals, reuniting them with remaining family and helping them rebuild their lives.
“I’ve had a fellow in our community tell me that he has a brother and his wife in Kyiv … he asked how I could help get them out – and urgently,” Motyka said.
Motyka reached out to immigration and Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon, who, alongside Labour Leader Anthony Albanese, attended the parish on February 27 in a show of solidarity with the community.
Claydon said it was a privilege to light a candle with Anthony Albanese and Father Paul Berezniuk at the Ukrainian Catholic Church and joined Motyka in condemning the conflict.
“The acts of the last few days mark a grave moment for humanity … Australians are united in our condemnation of Russia and Mr Putin’s unjustified act of aggression, an act which we are seeing played out on our screens,” Claydon said.
“The stories from people like Stefania are truly heartbreaking … Stefania is 96 years old, and she fled Ukraine from the Germans and Russians after WWII.
“Today, her community has to witness another generation of Ukrainians bravely defending their country again.”
Anthony Albanese echoed the MP’s sentiment.
“Another generation of Ukrainians have been bravely and fiercely defending their country against Russian military invasion,” he said.
“Australia stands united against this unprovoked attack.”
Motyka said the response from the politicians and people within the Hunter community had been overwhelming.
“Our priest has been getting a flood of emails from Hunter locals voicing their support, and on Sunday, people that are not members of the parish came with placards to raise awareness of the gravity of what is taking place,” Motyka said.
Motyka said plenty of action could be taken by Novocastrians wanting to support Ukraine.
“From the humanitarian side, anyone who is prepared to give any kind of financial donations should try Charitas or Ukraine in Crisis fund.”
He also warned Novocastrians to be wary of the information they were consuming online relating to the conflict.
“Turn to reliable sources to get information and report false news and other media,” he said.
“Otherwise, turn to your local parish if you seek information – we will endeavour to answer and help in the best way we can.”
Newcastle Socialist Alliance (NSA) has announced a protest against the conflict at Civic Park on March 6, starting at 2 pm.
“Newcastle has a proud history of protesting against war,” a spokesperson for NSA said.
“We support calls for Russia to halt the invasion immediately and withdraw its military from Ukraine’s territory and airspace, and a return to diplomacy to de-escalate the situation and resolve the current impasse.
“The alliance is also calling on the right to democratic self-determination for the Ukrainian people, as well as a commitment from all sides to a peaceful resolution.
Motyka said that every Australian that stood with Ukraine was also Ukrainian.
“No matter what country you’re in or background you’re from, everyone values freedom,” he said.
Maia O’Connor