UCC APPALLED BY BRUTAL ATTACK ON CIVILIANS
BY KREMLIN-BACKED TERRORISTS
CALL TO ACTION!
24 January, 2015 – Ottawa – The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) is appalled by the brutal and unprovoked attack on civilians today in Mariupol, Donetsk oblast, by terrorists armed, trained and actively supported by Russia’s military. The Kremlin-backed terrorists indiscriminately shelled residential areas of the city, murdering at least thirty innocent residents and injuring at least 90 others, including women, children and the elderly.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress expresses its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of this senseless and horrifying attack on innocent people.
“This disgraceful attack on innocent people by terrorists of the so-called Donetsk ‘Peoples Republic’ underlines the brutality and viciousness with which the Russian Federation is waging war against Ukraine,” stated Paul Grod, National President of the UCC. “The so-called Donetsk and Luhansk ‘Peoples’ Republics’ must be listed by the international community as terrorist organizations, and the Russian Federation, which commands, coordinates and supplies these terrorists must be designated a state sponsor of terrorism.”
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Quotes on the appalling attack against civilians by Kremlin-backed terrorists:
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko
“The bloody murder by pro-Russian terrorists of dozens of peaceful people, and the injuring of almost 100 peaceful residents of Mariupol is not only a terrorist act. This is a crime against humanity.”
EU High Representatives for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini
“This comes after a series of indiscriminate attacks in the Donbas in the past few days, accompanied by the announcements of further offensives by Russia-backed separatists, who bluntly refuse to observe the cease fire. […] I call therefore openly upon Russia to use its considerable influence over separatist leaders and to stop any form of military, political or financial support.”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg
“The shelling of residential areas in the city of Mariupol from separatist-controlled territory has cost the lives of at least 20 civilians, and injured many more. For several months we have seen the presence of Russian forces in eastern Ukraine, as well as a substantial increase in Russian heavy equipment such as tanks, artillery and advanced air defence systems. Russian troops in eastern Ukraine are supporting these offensive operations with command and control systems, air defence systems with advanced surface-to-air missiles, unmanned aerial systems, advanced multiple rocket launcher systems, and electronic warfare systems.I strongly urge Russia to stop its military, political and financial support for the separatists, stop destabilising Ukraine and respect its international commitments.”
CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER
“We are troubled by reports of attacks by pro-Russian forces in Ukraine. Canada’s thoughts & prayers are with all those affected.”
CALL TO ACTION from UCC President Paul Grod.
Stop Putin’s war against Ukraine!
Dear community leaders, activists, and peace loving Canadians.
Today the OSCE confirmed that Putin’s proxies and Russian troops fired multiple rockets into the center of Ukraine’s city of Mariupol. This is the latest in a series of murderous attacks on civilians by these terrorists. It is obvious that Putin is moving to take the city of Mariupol and establish a land bridge to Crimea which he illegally annexed from Ukraine.
We call on the international community to:
1. Provide Ukraine the defensive military equipment necessary to defend itself;
2. Impose further deep and comprehensive sanctions against Russia;
3. Designate the so-called “Donetsk and Luhansk Peoples’ Republics” as terrorist organizations; and
4. Designate the Russian Federation, which commands and supplies these terrorists, as a state sponsor of terrorism.
The world must not sit-by idly while the modern-day imperialist Vladimir Putin invades and terrorizes a neighbouring country.
On January 26th, join your local community in rallying to support Ukraine and free pilot Nadia Savchenko.
Slava Ukraini! God bless Canada!
Paul Grod
President
Ukrainian Canadian Congress
Direct (905) 625-9900 ext 225
National Office (613) 232-8822
