Police Investigate Vandalism Targeting Russian Community Centre in Vancouver

Police cars are seen parked outside Vancouver Police Department headquarters in Vancouver, on Jan. 9, 2021. The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

As the Russia-Ukraine conflict rages on, the Russian Community Centre in Vancouver has become the target of vandalism, which is now under police investigation.

On the morning of March 5, police were sent to the community centre in the neighbourhood of Kitsilano, near Arbutus Street and West 4th Avenue, after receiving reports that the building was defaced with blue and yellow paint—the colour of the Ukrainian flag, according to a statement from Vancouver police.

The police said the act of vandalism likely occurred overnight. No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.

The centre said the majority of its members are of Ukrainian origin, reported CBC News. Ariadna McKenna, the chair of the board for the centre, told CBC that the vandalism is upsetting and misdirected.

“We’re not political, we’re Canadian,” she said in front of the defaced doors of the cultural centre on March 5.

“It’s shocking, it’s very upsetting. The vandals that did this don’t understand who we are.”

The Russian Community Centre was established in 1956, according to its official website. The centre describes its purpose as to “provide a venue where people interested in Russian culture can gather and socialize while promoting and supporting Russian cultural activities.”

Another board member, Natasha, said in a video from City News Vancouver that the centre does not support the military invasion into Ukraine launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“We’re not supporting Putin in what he’s doing at all,” Natasha said, adding that the Russian Community Centre was created by people who were fleeing communist rule under the Soviet Union.

Jane McFadden, executive director of the West 4th Avenue Business Improvement Association, condemned the vandalism.

“We all need to remember that friendship is more powerful than an act like this,” she told CBC News.

“It’s unfortunate for Canadian-Russians that are our friends, and our colleagues and neighbours.”