Winnipegger shocked by images from hometown, Bucha

Editor’s note: This article contains details that may be upsetting to some readers.

Disturbing pictures, continue to come out of Ukraine. Videos showing the death and destruction of the Russian attacks, and those from Bucha have caught the attention of the world.

Back in Canada, Michael Kashyn is lost for words. He can’t believe what he is hearing from people who have witnessed these atrocities in Bucha.

“Today… I received confirmation that my son’s classmate was killed. I knew this kid from primary school so what can I say,” said Kashyn.

Kashyn lived in Bucha for 12 years before moving to Canada in 2019. His son’s girlfriend remained in Bucha up until two weeks ago.

She explained that these horrifying acts started when Russia invaded, but due to safety concerns, people living there didn’t document what was going on until now. He says Russian shelling destroyed apartments, hospitals and schools, killing many civilians.

“She doesn’t have a home anymore, her house was demolished. They stayed under shelling for several weeks with no water and no food,” explained Kashyn.

Kashyn’s son’s girlfriend fled and is now safe in Germany, but he says, she was lucky. Many were not able to escape, including his neighbours who he kept in contact with after leaving Bucha, but has not heard from them in several days.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Some photos may be disturbing

He says his parents and family members are still living in Northern Ukraine near the border with Belarus. At this time, Russian occupiers remain in his parent’s town and communication has been tough.

He worries that what happened in Bucha, is happening in all occupied areas of Ukraine.

“My day starts with checking if they are alive, and my day ends with checking if they are still alive,” he explained. “This is not only me but also the whole country. You can’t imagine that going through this for 40 days in a row, is not a pleasant experience, to say the least.”

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RELATED:

• Ukraine president calls for UN action following Bucha killings
• Killings in Bucha, Ukraine ‘clearly war crimes’: Canada foreign minister
• ‘Scene from a horror movie:’ Ukraine accuses Russia of massacre, city strewn with bodies

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Since the war began, 4 million Ukrainians have left the country and another 7.5 million are internally displaced. With places like Bucha and Mariupol in a humanitarian crisis right now, aid is needed now more than ever.

“We are not starting to see the horrors. There are places like Mariupol that are besieged and have been for weeks. The city is destroyed, and the stories from civilians that have managed to escape are horrifying and harrowing,” explained Orest Zakydalsky, senior policy analyst with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

But for those trying to help, accessing the hardest-hit regions has been challenging.

“The Russians are not allowing for humanitarian convoys either in or out and so aid that is getting in is getting in under danger of being attacked by Russia,” added Zakydalsky.

Kashyn wants to see NATO countries like Canada continue to support Ukraine.

“My family went through this several times. My mother remembers this, my grandparents went through this,” said Kashyn. “This is a horrible experience and it’s not only me. We will know what will happen if Ukraine fails, and Ukraine will fail if it is not supported by proper weaponry.”