'The war will spill across borders:' Local Ukrainian groups prepare to rally in downtown Raleigh
Thousands of Ukrainian families here in the Triangle are closely watching developments as Russia deploys thousands of troops to the border with Ukraine.
Posted — UpdatedThey fear an invasion of their home country could explode into a third world war.
Some believe the US needs to impose sanctions and back them up with a show of force – but on Wednesday, Russia dismissed the threat of sanctions.
The Ukrainian Association of North Carolina will hold a rally at noon on Feb. 5 in hopes of sending a a message to their neighbors here in Raleigh: That Russia's threat to their country is a threat to democracy.
"It was a flashback to my childhood when we were dodging bombs during the second World War," says Wolowyna.
His father was on the Soviet's enemy list, so his family escaped the Ukraine.
"The decision was stay and be shot or flee for your life," he says.
Now he fears a similar fate for his home country.
"I come to you, put my gun to your head and say 'let’s negotiate.' That’s exactly what Putin did," he says.
Wolownya settled here in the Triangle, and has stayed involved with his community through the Ukranian Association of North Carolina.
It's a community that includes more than 19,000 people statewide.
"If you have a Ukranian friend, check in on them," he says.
""The war will not stay in Ukraine. The war will go out and spill across its borders," says Olena Kozlova-Pates, who founded Ukranians in the Carolinas.
The group that's protested Russia ever since a revolution led to conflict between the countries in 2014.
"Ukranians have lived in this war environment for so long, I pray and hope that they’re prepared," says Kozlova-Pates.
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