Flight MH17 shot down by a Russian Buk Missile

More than two years after the fact, the investigative team looking into the cause of the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 crash concluded that it was a Buk missile brought in from Russia and returned to Russia after the incident that brought the plane down. We all knew that in 2014, but the fact that an international investigative team has no shadow of doubt cements the result. Here is the CNN report.  Here is the BBC report.

Ukrainian Diaspora Survey Extended to March 13, 2016

I just completed a survey of the Ukrainian diaspora about interest in the creation of an investment fund targeted at helping Ukraine get back on its footing.  It's interesting.  It is only open until March 13, so if you have the ability to give them your input, please do.  All the information you need follows.

21 Strange Communication Challenges Bilingual People Experience

Being bilingual, or more accurately bi-cultural, can be a confusing state of mind. You find yourself constantly choosing one or the other cultural norm depending on the situation. Sometimes, the norms are vastly different. Sometimes there are no parallels, which makes it very hard to explain.

Found Ukrainian Documentary

A Time to Remember

A long lost Ukrainian-Canadian CBC documentary dating back to 1988 was recently rediscovered in a library. The now ancient video tape was preserved and posted on YouTube. The story documents 100 years of immigration from Ukraine to Canada. It was produced in tribute to 1000 years of Christianity in Ukraine -- at a time when the Soviet Iron Curtain prevented those still in Ukraine from practicing their faith, and even emigrating at will.

Citizen of the world

I haven't written in a long time. I continue to follow the stories and support the Ukrainian people in any way I can. But I got too frustrated. Frustrated with the world for doing so little. Frustrated with Russia for its bullying ways and the Russian people for believing the ultimate balderdash. How could they be so gullible? Yet, there are many bigger things than that underway. War is the word.

A Canadian expose on Putin

http://www.cbc.ca/player/Kids/Parents/ID/2646889875/

A 45 minute program on Putin.



THE FIFTH ESTATE | Season 40, Episode 08 | Jan 9, 2015 | 45:11

Putin's Long Shadow

A joint investigation by the fifth estate and PBS Frontline probes Russian leader Vladimir Putin: allegations of criminal activity and corruption, with a secret personal fortune said to be in the billions. Gillian Findlay reports on the dark side of one of the most powerful men in the world.

Ukraine's Elections Are Very Promising

Exit polls show a distinctly pro-EU margin

The Rada exit poll results are in, and they are vastly different from the 2012 elections, in which the old regime parties (Party of Regions, Fatherland, UDAR, the Communist Party, and Svoboda) took the lead.  For the first time since independence, there are likely to be no Communists in the parliament. President Petro Poroshenko's Bloc party (23%) and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk's People's Front party (21.3%) are way in the lead, indicating that the work they have begun is likely to continue.

In fact, pro-EU parties are dominating the results according to Reuters. This is a most hopeful sign that corruption will be fought successfully and Ukraine will move on to a new era of freedom, peace and prosperity.  It will be days before all the votes are counted, the so-called separatists are still planning to hold their own elections in November, and, of course, it remains to be seen what Putin will do, but this first step is promising.  

It will not be easy, and they have an uphill battle ahead of them, but they also have much to fight for. And that perhaps is the difference this time. If they have to fight, they have the potential to win. Let's all stand behind them and press on.