Calgary rally for Ukraine calls for accountability as Russia continues bombardment
Posted Jan 18, 2026 11:07 am.
Last Updated Jan 19, 2026 6:16 am.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress held a rally in Calgary on Sunday to call attention to the attacks Russia continues to carry out, and for the federal government to back up the terrorized nation amid peace deal discussions.
The rally at the Monument to the victims of Holodomor on Edmonton Trail and Memorial Drive NE is where demonstrators showed up to draw the attention of pedestrians and passing traffic.
The monument commemorates the tragedy in Ukraine, when millions of people died due to a famine from 1932 to 1933 caused by Joseph Stalin.
With over 100,000 drones striking Ukrainian cities, which have killed civilians in their homes, organizers are pointing out that Russia has yet to face any meaningful consequences.
Russia has continued its attacks — particularly on Ukraine’s power grid — while a delegation from the U.S. arrived in Kyiv Saturday to push for an end to the nearly 4-year assault from Russia.
The focus on critical energy infrastructure has left millions of Ukrainians without electricity, heating, and hot water. Blackouts have gone on for days at a time as a result.
“Russia is turning winter into a weapon,” said committee coordinator Mariana Sirko in a news release. “This deliberate terror against civilians clearly demonstrates Russia’s complete unwillingness to make any concessions.”
She says the rally is aimed at reminding Calgarians and the world that the “war is far from over and that silence only enables further violence.”
“Today, as global instability grows and powerful states threaten the sovereignty of weaker nations, we must unite and stand up for justice.
“If the world allows Russia to avoid responsibility and continue its illegal occupation of Ukraine, it will encourage other aggressors to act without consequences. As long as the aggression continues, no agreement can guarantee real security. Peace for the world cannot be achieved under such conditions.”
The UCC is calling on the government to “continue backing up Ukraine in all peace negotiations,” ensuring it’s fair for Ukraine; to protect its population from daily bombardments; and provide any possible assistance to help the civilian population “make it through the winter.”
With files from The Associated Press
