Svetlana Koshkareva has burned her Russian passport.
"It is the most effective visible message for everybody who's towards the federal government, however nonetheless proud to be a Russian citizen," she mentioned in a phone interview Monday.
"I do not want this piece of paper, as a result of I am not going to go to Russia till this dictatorship and this horrible authorities is out."
The Edmonton lady is initially from Irkutsk in east-central Russia and has been residing in Canada since 2013. She acquired her Canadian citizenship in 2019.
Russians world wide have taken to the streets each day to denounce their homeland's invasion of Ukraine and a few, like Koshkareva at a rally on the weekend, have burned their documentation.
"I nonetheless love my nation. I am simply ashamed to have this dictator within the authorities."
Russian President Vladimir Putin gave orders on Thursday for troops to invade Ukraine in a three-pronged assault by floor, air and sea.
Shocked Russians have reacted with protests in main city centres throughout that nation and hundreds of individuals have been arrested.
In Canada, hundreds turned have out at rallies in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Edmonton in assist of Ukraine.
Koshkareva mentioned information of the invasion was predictable however nonetheless stunning. When organizers requested her to be on the rally exterior the Alberta legislature, she felt it was necessary to be there to face in solidarity.
"Putin will not be Russia ... we're towards this conflict and we're standing with Ukrainian individuals," she mentioned. "It is our ache collectively."
In Ottawa, many feelings handed by way of Tatiana Lebedeva when the preliminary experiences of Russia's invasion got here out.
At first, she mentioned, she felt disappointment and dismay. Anger and fury on the Russian authorities adopted.
"I've by no means been extra ashamed to be Russian as now ... that is one of many causes I can not simply sit silent," she mentioned.
Lebedeva has created a Fb group referred to as "Ottawa Stands With Ukraine." She additionally organized a rally exterior Russia's embassy final week.
Lebedeva mentioned she wished to create a approach for others to point out worldwide assist for Ukraine and to offer a voice to Russians who cannot communicate up of their dwelling nation.
"I wish to ship a message (to the embassy) that Russians do not agree with the governmental actions. Not all of them can brazenly say it," she mentioned.
"We wish to assist our fellow Ukrainians. Ukraine is a sovereign nation. (Russia) would not should invade it."
Final week, the embassy issued a defiant assertion defending its authorities's place. It mentioned the West is making an attempt to show Ukraine into the anti-Russia.
"The advanced political-military state of affairs and dynamic of NATO navy posture in Europe created a transparent and rapid hazard for Russia that might not have been mitigated by every other means," learn the assertion.
"The makes an attempt by the West to show Ukraine right into a sort of 'anti-Russia' won't succeed."
Lebedeva moved to Canada in 2014, however most of her rapid household nonetheless lives in St. Petersburg, together with her mother and father and grandparents.
Conversations with relations have been sombre. "In Russia you are feeling like you do not have sufficient energy to climb out of this."
She is going to proceed to sentence Russia's actions and name for peace, she mentioned.
"I wish to make it possible for others know there are Russians who do not assist it and are vehemently opposing this motion."
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed March 1, 2022.
— With recordsdata from AP