Saskatchewan shows solidarity with Ukraine on invasion anniversary

As heavy snow fell, Ukrainian flags were held high.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) Regina Branch held a solidarity march on Saturday, marking the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Andre and Olena Andrusyak were in attendance. They proudly held a banner with a special story behind it.

Olena explained that her son Nazar, 10, got the flag as a thank-you from Ukrainian soldiers.

Her son Nazar said, “It’s so hard not to do anything about the war. I’m so worried about people back in Ukraine, like mom I want to do like anything to support them. I couldn’t think of anything else. I’m going to make key chains and bracelets and sell them to people to get some money.”

Olena said this became a big project for her son.

“He invited his friends from the neighbourhood to help him,” she said. “He’s been selling them to neighbours, to the Ukrainian-Canadian community at school, at the Co-op gas station. People were donating and in total, he collected over $700. He sent those dollars to this particular group for supplies, for some warm socks and other supplies they needed. And as a thank you, they sent this flag signed to him. We have it in our house.”

Andre knows of this group through his brother’s uncle, who is currently fighting in the war.

“This group is actually the one that go in the front of everyone else to kill the enemy to defend our country,” Andre said.

“What is significant, is that those (signatures), some of them might not even be alive anymore. It’s very tragic and senseless war and we hope it’s going to end soon.”

Olena is blown away by her son’s efforts to help in Ukraine, especially since he was born in Canada.

“It was so fascinating how a little kid was experiencing such events and he took it really close to his heart and wanted to do anything to support them and help them because I cannot just sit still,” she said.

She’s not sure exactly where his awareness came from, but being very involved in the Ukrainian community in Canada helps.

“It just comes from the family. He hears our conversations, he goes to Ukrainian Saturday school. To me, it’s just in his blood,” Olena said.

Andre and Olena were both born in Ukraine, but have lived in Canada for around 20 years.

One of Andre’s former employees actually volunteered to fight on the front-lines.

“He left Canada and this beautiful life and comfortable living and just going there because that’s what he felt like he was going to be doing,” said Andre.

Olena urges people to keep talking about Ukraine.

“It’s just hard to sit still,” she said.

“We feel that we always needs to do something, like little by little. Get together and talk about this, do something, fundraise, donate, give a call to people back in Ukraine, support each other. That’s why we’re asking people to keep thinking about Ukraine, keep helping because the war is still on.”

READ MORE:

• Displaced Ukrainians in Regina reflect on two years of war with Russia 
• Canadians mark grim anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine as violence continues
• ‘I like it here:’ Saskatchewan town steps up for Ukrainian refugees 

Michelle Yoner was also in attendance.

She is a second generation Canadian with proud Ukrainian roots on all sides of her family.

Yoner said it’s important to show solidarity with Ukraine.

“We end up getting used to such a wonderful amount of peace and prosperity here in Canada and the motherland of Ukraine is a place that is known for war,” she said. “Every single generation goes through a new war, a new type of trouble.”

As for the future, she hopes Ukraine sees peace one day.

“I wish that Putin would see kindness, that he would come to understand a compassion and goodness for people and that war and death is not the way to achieve such things,” Yoner said.

She felt wonderful seeing such a large crowd show solidarity with Ukraine.

“I hope that it touches the hearts of the Ukrainian people and that they are able to see and found out that the world is still with them,” she said.

“People still care and there is still love being shown.”

Saskatoon shows solidarity