Official language: Ukrainian (67.5%)
Russian (29.6%)
Religions: Orthodox, Ukrainian Orthodox, Ukrainian Greek Catholic, Roman Catholic.
Ukraine’s population is overwhelmingly Christian; the vast majority – up to two-thirds – identify themselves as Orthodox, but many do not specify a particular branch
Ukrainian News Outlets:
Kyiv Post
Tsnua
Interview:
Roksolana Florko
609-598-1837
Roksolana is a former boss of mine who is Ukrainian-American. I asked her about where the Ukrainian community is located in NYC, if there are any landmarks of Ukrainian culture here, and where she gets her Ukrainian news from.
Currently:
Ukrainian-Americans are concerned about Trump’s friendliness with Russian president Vladimir Putin, which could mean Ukraine could lose the US as its ally. The US has provided a lot of help and understanding in defending Ukraine from Russian separatists taking control. Since Trump has taken office, violence has begun again in eastern Ukraine where separatist groups have control.
Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimea in 2014 but yesterday (February 14) Trump announced that he fully expects Russia to return Crimea to Ukraine and de-escalate violence in Ukraine. However, at the same time, he stated he expects to get along with Russia.
Avdiivka is a strategically important city under Ukrainian control that was attacked by military grade missiles on January 28. Video surveillance reveals that the attack was carried out in militant controlled Donetsk (Ukraine). Russia tried to blame Ukraine for the attack, but Ukraine clearly does not have access to weapons of this caliber.
Where are Ukrainians?
“When they first moved here, they all lived in the East Village. But now that it has gotten more expensive there, they have moved out to Yonkers, Brooklyn (Brighton Beach, Sheepshead Bay) or New Jersey. But for holidays and church we still gather in the East Village,” –Roksolana Florko
Landmarks:
Ukrainian Museum (East Village)
St. George Academy (private, Ukrainian Catholic high school)
Soyuziuka–Ukrainian heritage center (upstate)
“I have friends that visit here every summer or send their kids here to learn Ukrainian or about Ukrainian culture,” –Roksolana Florko