(28 Feb 2022) FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4368247
Ukrainians in New York City gathered at Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. Volodymyr to pray for their country.
Many at the prayer service said they were surprised by the Russian invasion.
Victor Kurylyk called the aggression a "crime against humanity." Kurylyk said his nephew has joined the Ukrainian defense.
He said the church is raising funds for those who have fled their homes in Ukraine in search of safety.
Maria Kurylyk said she was shocked at first, but said her shock has turned into anger.
"I'm trying to be in touch with my family, with my friends back in Ukraine and see what's going on," said Kurylyk. "Everybody, you know, is trying to protect our country."
Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin dramatically escalated East-West tensions by ordering Russian nuclear forces put on high alert Sunday, while Ukraine's embattled leader agreed to talks with Moscow as Putin's troops and tanks drove deeper into the country.
The fast-moving developments came as scattered fighting was reported in Kyiv, battles broke out in Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, and strategic ports in the country's south came under assault from Russian forces.
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