Mélina Facchin 7:47 p.m., February 24, 2022
About 150 Ukrainians and other people who came to support Kiev gathered this afternoon in the center of Strasbourg, place Kléber.
Obviously, most of them are in shock, distressed to see their country being invaded by Russia from afar.
REPORT
About 150 Ukrainians and other people who came to support Kiev gathered this afternoon in the center of Strasbourg, place Kléber.
Obviously, most of them are in shock, distressed to see their country being invaded by Russia from afar.
A few hours after the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, between 150 and 200 people gathered this afternoon in Strasbourg.
Many Ukrainians living in France started the Ukrainian national anthem to show their support for their country.
Faces clouded with worry, many feel helpless to be so far from their families, stranded in Ukraine.
"Coming to protest is all I can do!"
Wrapped in a Ukrainian flag, with tears in her eyes, Anna held up a "Putin terrorist" sign.
This 52-year-old Ukrainian took refuge in France in 2014, when her city, Lugansk, fell under the yoke of Russia.
Today, her pain is immense and she worries terribly for her family in Ukraine.
“My parents, my brother, my husband, a lot of people,” she lists in a trembling voice.
"It's very difficult to be here. Come and demonstrate, that's all I can do!", she says.
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"It's terrifying to watch the news"
Irina and Fadir also feel helpless.
These Ukrainian students have drawn a large blue and yellow map of their countries.
The young girl points to all the cities bombed in recent hours.
"It's terrifying to watch the news, it's just terrifying," sighs Fadir.
"Terrifying to receive a call from your mother or grandmother 10 kilometers from the Russian border when we are there, waiting," continues her comrade.
"We try not to call our families too much so that they keep the battery. We just ask them a message for us that they tell us that they are alive and well".
The only thing they can do, they say, is get together.
Another big demonstration will take place here this Saturday, at 3 p.m., place Kléber, during which medicines will be collected to be sent to Ukraine.