Calgary’s Ukrainian community to hold silent protest outside Olympic Oval

Hundreds of people celebrated Ukrainian independence Sunday outside Calgary City Hall.

A silent protest will be held by Calgary’s Ukrainian community Saturday afternoon at the Olympic Oval to protest the Russian invasion of their country.

According to a media release sent by Ukrainian Canadian Congress -- Calgary branch, 591 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed by Russians since they invaded Ukraine in 2022. It said that 22 remain in captivity, and 11 are missing.

It said 725 sports facilities across the country have been damaged or destroyed by Russian attacks.

“Russian sport is not separate from the state – it is one of the tools used to justify and promote aggression,“ said UCC-Calgary spokesperson Anna Tselukhina, in the release.

”Those who say sport should be outside politics must also acknowledge that Russia uses sport as a political weapon."

The protest is set to begin at 4 p.m.

The ISU Speed Skating World Cup is currently underway at the Olympic Oval.