'I just think it's worth the risk': B.C. man quits job as he prepares to fight for Ukraine
A line cook and former tugboat deckhand quit his job and is putting his life on hold to fight Russian troops in war-torn Ukraine.
Bryson Woolsey, from Powell River, B.C., says he expects to ship out for Ukraine next week as he aims to ward off Russian occupiers on Ukrainian soil.
"I'm not trying to walk in there gung-ho or anything, but I just think it’s worth the risk,” said Woolsey on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old says when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky put out a call for foreign volunteers, he knew he had to act.
"I'm not going over there with any expectations," he said. "Whatever they need me to do, if that is somewhere in the back with logistics or support, or if that's a frontline combat role, I'm happy to do that. I've weighed those risks."
The B.C. man says he is collecting supplies for his trip and plans to head for Ukraine next week.
He says his family is scared and concerned but supportive of his decision.
'I FELT LIKE SOMEONE PUT A KNIFE IN MY HEART'
In Victoria, another kind of preparation is underway to defend Ukraine from Russian invaders.
Oleh Hlyniailiuk, a Ukrainian tourist, is collecting thousands of dollars worth of medical and military equipment to take home to his family and friends.
Oleh Hlyniailiuk, a Ukrainian tourist, is collecting thousands of dollars worth of medical and military equipment to take home to his family and friends. (CTV News)
"We have no choice," said Hlyniailiuk on Tuesday. "We cannot accept the occupation of Ukraine. It will mean for the world the loss of a democracy."
Hlyniailiuk was in Victoria on Tuesday to shop at military supply store MDC Law Enforcement and Military Equipment Distributors.
He and a friend filled box after box with military grade gloves, boots, medical tourniquets, bandages and other supplies.
“My roommate is now defending Kyiv,” Hlyniailiuk told CTV News.
The 26-year-old plans to fly out of Canada on Wednesday with at least 10 suitcases of gear.
In November, he accepted a friend's invitation to travel to Canada and explore B.C.’s rugged coast.
Once the invasion of his homeland began, he said he had no choice but to cut his trip short and help in any way he could.
He says his girlfriend has escaped explosions near Kyiv and fled to the western part of Ukraine.
"I felt like someone put a knife in my heart, it was so painful," said Hlyniailiuk.
Alec Rossa, the president of the military-supply company, says he will likely give the Ukrainians a deep discount, if he charges them at all, for the gear.
Rossa says he has roughly 40 family members in war-torn Ukraine and wants to help in any way he can.
Alec Rossa, the president of a military-supply company near Victoria, says he will likely give the Ukrainians a deep discount, if he charges them at all, for the gear. (CTV News)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
It's the biggest election in history. Here's why few Indians in Canada will take part
In the Indian general election that gets underway on Friday, almost a billion people are eligible to vote, but a vast majority of the overseas Indian community in Canada won't be casting a ballot.
McDonald's customers left with 'zero value' collection of free hot drink stickers after company ends program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Juror dismissed in Trump hush money trial as prosecutors ask for former president to face contempt
Prosecutors in the hush money trial of Donald Trump asked Thursday for the former president to be held in contempt and fined because of seven social media posts that they said violated a judge's gag order barring him from attacking witnesses.
Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.