Sask. Ukrainian community reflects on 3 years of war

Regina’s Ukrainian community gathers in Wascana Park to recognize three years since the invasion of Ukraine. (Hallee Mandryk/CTV News)

Surrounding the Holodomor Monument in Wascana Park on Sunday, Regina’s Ukrainian community and allies gathered together to reflect on three years since the Russian invasion.

Many of those in attendance remain deeply affected by the ongoing crisis overseas.

Iryna Didukh arrived in Saskatchewan on one of the humanitarian flights to the province in August of 2022.

She came along with her eldest daughter, while pregnant with her second at the time.

“I want to say to say thank you to the Government of Saskatchewan, to people of Saskatchewan, to our community, to Ukrainian Congress for all the support, all the settlement services that was provided to us,” Didukh said.

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As grateful as she is for the community support, Didukh shared that it was extremely difficult to leave without her husband, who is currently still in Ukraine.

The mom of two explained that originally, the family only intended to live in Canada until the end of the war. However, the growing uncertainty prompted them to consider making Canada their permanent home.

“We came to Canada just for the safety for our kids for the duration of war, that was why it was an easy decision,” Didukh explained.

“I thought it would not be so difficult to leave my husband behind there. But as we can see now, even after the war will end, there is no guarantee of safety at all.”

Didukh was certainly not alone in her struggles.

Yana Vietrovia came to Canada in August of 2022 from Dnipro, in central Ukraine.

“We found [a] second home here,” Vietrova said. “Don’t get me wrong, we are helping Ukraine and continue to help, but we decided that we will raise our kids here ... I would like to say thank you, Canada. Because, for my family, it was a choice to save my family.”

Vietrovia has also welcomed a daughter into the world since arriving in Saskatchewan. She shared that thanks to their employment, both her and her husband were able to receive permanent residency.

She went on to say that it can be a challenge for many Ukrainian refugees, particularly since the Canadian government paused the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program.

“We need a easy program for our people, for Ukrainian people, to receive a permanent residency,” Vietrova said. “For example, I’m worried about my mom because we have just only one way we can receive her for permanent residency.”

The event proved to be emotional for many.

Speakers touched on the need for resources to be sent to Ukraine, and many voiced concern over U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks criticizing Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Ukraine’s position in the war.

“It’s so hard and we believe that to be honest ... we don’t feel united in the world, because everybody knows what’s happened in America with Trump,” Vietrova explained.

“We still need help, military help, from America and Europe. Because, the forces are not equals. Russia came to our territory, not Ukraine.”

Saskatchewan’s Ukrainian community is rallying in support of their country and culture. Orest Warnyca’s parents immigrated to Canada in 1929, and was raised with a strong connection to his heritage.

Warnyca shared that attending events like this one are an important reminder of what it means to be both Ukrainian and Canadian.

“It’s important because, we’re trying to maintain not only our Ukrainian culture and our heritage, but we’re trying to maintain freedom for our land,” he explained.

“We just can’t understand how somebody, a big bully, can dominate and push around and we’re hoping this doesn’t happen to us in Canada either.”

While its been an incredibly difficult three years for Didukh and her family, the mother recounted the importance of staying hopeful.

“Because, that’s only thing that’s left, I guess ... If we will give up, that means that it’s the end.”