'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
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city, marking the first franchise in Canada
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.