A B.C. doctor who has made six trips to Ukraine since the start of the war is urging the Canadian government to denounce the attack that resulted in the death of a Canadian aid worker.
Dr. Tracey Parnell, from Cranbrook, emphasized that the attack on Anthony “Tonko” Ihnat, which was carried out by Russians, was a deliberate act targeting humanitarian workers.
Inhat was traveling with three others in a humanitarian vehicle in the town of Ivanivske in the Bakmut region when it was struck by Russian fire last weekend.
The workers were part of the humanitarian group Road to Relief, which confirmed Ihnat’s death on social media.
The post mentioned that German medical volunteer Ruben Mawick and Swedish volunteer Johan Mathias Thyr were badly injured and hospitalized, while the status of Spanish volunteer and Road to Relief Director Emma Igual remains unknown.
However, Spain’s acting Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares stated that authorities in Madrid had received “verbal confirmation” of Igual’s death.
The Cranbrook doctor mentioned that she worked with both Ihnat and Igual while in Ukraine.
“Emma was a force to be reckoned with. She was very outgoing, driven, and compassionate. She had an incredibly soft heart. We worked closely for a long time. She will be greatly missed,” Parnell said. “Tonko, on the other hand, always had a grin on his face, always laid back and willing to do whatever it took to get the job done. He was a really good person who gave up everything to help people in desperate need. We will feel his loss significantly.”
Dr. Parnell expressed her dedication to helping those in need despite the fear and sadness caused by the targeting and killing of humanitarian workers.
“The Russians deliberately used an anti-tank guided missile. It’s horrifying, and unfortunately, not the first time. I hope the international community speaks out about this,” she said. “While I don’t want to bring grief upon my own family, I also witness all the broken families there and the hell they are going through. I know I can help, and I am willing to take that risk. However, being specifically targeted is not something I desire while I am there.”
Parnell called on the Canadian government to vocalize their condemnation of the attack.
Global News has contacted the federal government for comment.
— with files from Canadian Press
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