As Russia's attack on Ukraine continues a father daughter pair urge action

It’s been more than a month since Russia began its attack on Ukraine, but for a Russian father and daughter living in Tallahassee it feels much longer.

“You know how people have different ways of dealing with tragedy and big events going on? I have found myself in a situation where I cannot stop doing something," said Kat Semenova.

Nearly everyday Kat stands outside Florida's historic Capitol holding signs that say "Help Ukraine," or "Stop War!"

“I found out from my colleagues and my friends that not many people are aware how serious it is," Kat said. "I think my dad said specifically that it is of great importance to the whole world.”

Some days Kat's dad, Dmitry Semenov, joins her. Other days she says more members of Tallahssee's Russian and Ukrainian communities are there.

Kat has also started offering free English lessons to refugees and she uses social media to help connect people with resources they need.

Kat is a permanent U.S. resident from Russia who has been living in Tallahassee for the past three years. Dmitry moved to Florida about 17 years ago. He’s now a U.S. citizen and is calling on his fellow citizens to challenge their government leaders to stand up for what’s right.

“I believe that every American, I will talk for Americans because I am American, I believe that every American should stand up and make sure that nobody in this politician and business world makes any kind of agreement with Putin and his regime," Dmitry said.

For Dmitry that includes urging the state government to make changes like divesting its state employee pension money from Russian markets.

That's something Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried has raised concerns about as well.
She is the only state-wide elected Democrat and is running for governor.

Some of Florida's state employee pension money is invested in Russian markets.

“We have a governor who was slow to react to the invasion. Slow to condemn Putin and has been very soft on Russia and on Putin," Fried said.

During their most recent meeting Florida Cabinet members discussed divesting the $300 million from Florida’s pension fund that's currently invested in Russian markets.

State Board of Administration Interim Executive Director Lamar Taylor told the board it’s not possible now, because in retaliation for the sanctions the U.S. has put on Russia, Russia has closed its equity markets.

“Under the circumstances, even if we could, again the markets are closed, the only thing that would do would be to ensure a realized loss for the Florida Retirement System Defined Benefit Plan," Taylor said. "That is an outcome we’re seeking to mitigate by ensuring our managers are acting as a fiduciary in the best economic interest of the plan.”

Governor Ron DeSantis pointed out that would run afoul of the agency’s fiduciary duty. He said legislative guidance is needed and thinks that’s something lawmakers will take up in the 2023 legislative session.

“If the legislature can speak, clearly, I think that’s something we would welcome here just to make sure that we’re not furthering investments in parts of the world that are not reflective of our interests or values," DeSantis said.

Meanwhile for Kat, she said there is no time to wait. She has family members still living in Russian as well as Ukraine.

“They send me video messages where I can see what’s going on—audio messages where they’re talking to me and suddenly I can hear a siren and they’re running into some kind of safety and it is really, really hard," Kat said.

Kat and her dad Dmitry said while it might feel like the war is happening somewhere far away and that the lives of people in Tallahassee aren’t really impacted, they don’t think that’s true.

“I want to say to people that everybody should be absolutely aware that every single one is under attack. Mr. Putin in attacking the Western world that is threatening his existence as a dictator. That is an absolutely disgusting thing,” Dmitri said.