'My family is not safe': B.C. woman documents travels through home country of Ukraine
On Thursday, Langford, B.C., woman Alla Pavlikhin’s best friend was laid to rest in Ukraine.
"His name was Sergey Veretennikov," she told CTV News on Friday.
He was killed on Sunday fighting just outside of Kyiv, Ukraine, when a Russian rocket hit his platoon.
"He died as a hero defending his home, his country," said the grieving friend.
Pavlikhin and her husband just returned to Canada after spending a month in their home city of Kyiv.
Months before, Pavlikhin and her daughter, Lia, embarked on a fundraising effort, raising more than $33,000 by selling perogies and art, all of which went towards a government organization that helps Ukrainians called Come Back Alive.
"My family is not safe," said Pavlikhin. "We are losing people in my family."
The majority of her family lives in Kyiv.
"I can’t just sit and watch," she said.
Alla Pavlikhin is pictured with her best friend Sergey Verentennikov around 10 years ago.
Pavlikhin has created a YouTube channel to document what she saw on her trip into central Ukraine. The latest video shows how bombed out the city of Bucha is, just outside of Kyiv.
"The Russian army bombs mostly civilian cities," she said.
Devastation can be seen everywhere. In the commentary throughout the video, Pavlikhin talks about how heart-breaking it is to see the city in the state it is now.
VOLUNTEER WORK
While in Kyiv, Pavlikhin and her husband volunteered their time at an animal rescue facility. It’s a facility that is being overwhelmed by animals that have lost their owners due to the ongoing war.
Pavlikhin’s husband focused on repairing the worn-out kennels while Pavlikhin took on dog walking duties. That is where she met an injured dog named Maya.
"She got bombed, pretty much," said Pavlikhin.
The explosion sent multiple shards of glass into the dog's body and caused it to walk with a twisted leg. Maya has since made the long journey to Canada.
Maya the dog is shown at her new home in Langford, B.C. (CTV News)
"Now she’s a new Canadian," said Pavlikhin.
The Langford woman says her family's fundraising efforts will continue until the war is over in Ukraine.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies at 87
Louis Gossett Jr., the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries 'Roots,' has died. He was 87.