Chicago's Ukrainian-Americans celebrate Ukraine's Independence Day amid Russia's ongoing war
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago's Ukrainian community gathered Saturday night to celebrate Ukraine's Independence Day ahead of the official holiday.
The event in the city's Ukrainian Village featured traditional music, food, and games.
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"We miss our homeland so much," Anna Kallmeyer said. "Now, for me, I can't [go] back with a baby because it's so dangerous."
On Monday, Ukraine will mark 35 years since it broke free from Soviet rule. It comes as Russia's war in Ukraine continues after it launched a full-scale invasion in 2022.
"The whole [of] Ukraine has been attacked," Liliia Popovych of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America said. "The rocket can fly anywhere."
A Russian strike on Friday killed at least 16 people and injured 23 children at a shopping mall.
The war has seen Moscow turn to jet-powered drones, while Ukraine defends itself with American-made weapons.
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"I want to say thank you to the American people," Popovych said.
The U.S. government has spent nearly $200 billion on Ukraine. Most of that funding has come from taxpayers, prompting some calls to stop the aid.
"The funding has actually helped the U.S. get to a better position for the Iranian conflicts and other conflicts," said Zoryana Smozhanyk of the Ukrainian Daughters Foundation.
Smozhanyk served in the U.S. Army for 11 years after enlisting at 17. She is from Ukraine.
"It is a strict, straight-up advantage for the U.S. to expand our military complex so that we can renew our stockpiles here, [while] at the same time, giving out the old stuff to Ukrainians," Smozhanyk said.
With no sign that the war will end anytime soon, Ukrainian-Americans at the event said they were thankful for the support of their community.
"Being part of a community of people who are taking care of each other is really important," attendee Raymond Kallmeyer said.
