Ukrainian Couple Living In Peterborough Voice Their Concern And Their Hope Amid Russian Invasion
/Aleks and Iryna Goloborodko left Ukraine and made a new life in Peterborough in 2014, when Russia invaded and subsequently annexed their hometown of Crimea.
Aleks and Iryna came to Peterborough to join their son, who was attending Trent University at the time.
“We love Peterborough so much, it’s mine. It’s my home town,” said Aleks. “It’s a small town with very friendly people. All my life I haven’t liked big cities, they’re too noisy, too fast. Now my heart is here in Peterborough. I thank god he sent us here.”
Now living in Canada, watching the news and hearing stories from friends and family still in Ukraine, the couples hearts are breaking for their home country.
“Half of our hearts are here in Canada with our son and the second half of our hearts are in Ukraine, with our daughters family,” said Iryna. “It is so hard, but even being here in Canada we are still so close to our Ukraine.”
The Goloborodko’s son works at Peterborough Regional Health Centre but their daughter and her family still live in Ukraine.
While naturally they worry for the safety of their daughter, grandchildren and friends in Ukraine, they are both hopeful and confident that the citizens of Ukraine will continue to resist against Russian occupiers.
“We are very worried with what we’re seeing in Ukraine, because it’s the same thing we were seeing in Crimea 2014,” said Aleks. “But now it’s real war. This Russian attack, it’s something we thought would never happen. Never, ever. The Russian and Ukrainian people were so close.”
During their time in the PTBOCanada studio ‘Glory to Ukraine’ was repeated too many times to count as they voiced their admiration for the Ukrainian people.
“Regular people in Ukraine are ready to fight for their freedom, I am sure of that,” said Iryna. “Nobody called the Russian military to Ukraine, they came to our land. Ukrainians will never stop fighting. Ukraine is an independent country, we will never live in one country with Russia.”
“I am so proud of the Ukrainian army. To fight against this monster- they are heroes,” said Aleks. “Glory to Ukraine.”
They note that as soon as the ongoing conflict is resolved, any one that can should travel to their beautiful home country.
“After we win, you have to go,” said Aleks.
“Oh it was so beautiful,” said Iryna. “Now so much of our beautiful architecture has been bombed.”
Aleks, Iryna and their son who attended Trent University. Photo courtesy of Aleks Goloborodko.
