‘It is heartbreaking.’ Ukrainians in Bradenton-Sarasota prepare for influx of refugees
The Russian invasion of Ukraine is being felt intensely by an estimated 6,000 Ukrainians living in Southwest Florida, including the Bradenton-Sarasota area.
What has been a trickle of refugees from Ukraine since 2013 because of war and religious persecution, could increase in the near future, said Sylvia Acevedo, senior director of Refugee & Employment Services for Gulf Coast Jewish Community Services.
The organization has helped resettle about 100 persons from Ukraine in Southwest Florida, including a family of 11.
“We anticipate an increase in people seeking asylum in the United States and other countries,” Acevedo said. “We are resettling people from Ukraine, and we have been for years.”
Olga Klothakis, owner of Kiev Deli of Sarasota, said she is alarmed and heart sick because of the invasion.
“My daughter and granddaughter live there, and I have sponsored them for years trying to bring them to the United States. It is heartbreaking and nobody is helping Ukraine. They send weapons and ammunition but it is not enough. Where is NATO? Where is the European Union? Where is the United States? Where is Joe Biden?” Klothakis said.
Victor Lisnyczyj, president of the St. Andrews Religious and Cultural Center in North Port, said a rally was planned 5-6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25 at the corner of U.S. 41 and Biscayne in support of Ukrainians and in protest of the invasion.
“The Ukrainian-American community has strong ties with Ukraine and have many relatives there,” said Lisnyczyj, who was born in Ukraine during World War II.
His family fled persecution by the Nazis, and later by the Russian communists and emigrated to the United States in 1949, when he was 4 1/2.
“Ukraine is a free nation. For 20 years it has struggled with democracy, trying to be integrated into the European market. There is no reason for Putin to invade Ukraine. It is a total violation of human law. Stop the slaughter,” Lisnyczyj said.
The local Ukrainian-American population has long supported Ukraine with fundraisers to help soldiers wounded in defense of their homeland.
More than 13,000 Ukrainians died when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.
“There is no reason for Putin to invade Ukraine. He just wants to rebuild the Soviet Union,” Lisnyczyj said.
Somewhere between 5,000 and 6,000 Ukrainians live in Southwest Florida, and are served by a number of local organizations, Lisnyczyj said.
Among them: The Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, The Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, Ukrainian American Veterans Roman G. Lazor Post #40 in North Port, and The Men’s Social Club.
On Friday, the Associated Press reported that Russian forces were closing in on the capital, Kyiv, after airstrikes on cities and military bases around the Ukraine.
“The advance on Kyiv is seen as an attempt to replace Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a Kremlin-friendly regime. Pre-dawn explosions rocked Kyiv and gunfire was reported in parts of the city, while Ukraine’s military said a group of Russian spies and saboteurs was seen on the capital’s outskirts. Police told people not to exit a central subway station because of gunfire in the area.” the AP reported.
Late Friday, the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee issued a statement condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“Our local Jewish community is deeply concerned for the well being of the country’s entire population, including the Jewish community,” the statement said.
The Federation is working with organizations which have mobilized their operations on the ground in the Ukraine to get help to those in need as quickly as possible.
“Together we have been preparing for this worst-case scenario for weeks,” the Federation said.
This story was originally published February 28, 2022 at 5:50 AM.
