Ukrainians in Winnipeg mark the one year anniversary of the Russian invasion

The last 364 days have been extremely trying on Ukrainians who’ve watched their home get invaded by Russian forces – but today – the one-year anniversary of the war, has brought entirely new feelings.

“I was crying at work today – between meetings with clients,” said Olena Hrushytska, Employment facilitator for Ukrainian speaking newcomers at the Immigrant centre

Three Ukrainians now call Winnipeg home but even after months of living here, today was a time capsule.

“Today I had a lot of flashbacks… because one year ago the bombing started in my city at 4:30 am… so we woke up, went to the subway as a bomb shelter, and our lives changed actually that day,” said Hrushytska.

Hrushytska works for the Immigrant Centre in Winnipeg. She helps displaced Ukrainians navigate their new lives. She says you can see the weight of the day on her clients.

“I don’t want to be at this milestone… but I am.” spoke Svitlana Poliezhaieva an executive assistant Oseredok

Poliezhaieva is burying herself in her work. She says it’s the only way her and her husband can subdue the thoughts of something terrible happening today.

“In the fear of expecting another kind of invasion or attack, or whatever can happen – nobody knows, and everybody is feeling stressed because of this date. Because the previous year experience showed that on important days there is something bad happening and new attacks, and people dying – so everyone is of course stressed.”

Nadiia Sova had to leave her parents and husband behind. Travelling with her two children to Winnipeg. She says honouring her country with her fellow Ukrainians will be a heavy task tonight.

“Every time you know, this Ukrainian anthem sings… you feel not very good. Like in terms of… it’s not easy to remember all these moments again.”

Alexandra Shkandrij with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress says for Ukrainians a year of repelling Russian forces should show how resilient Ukraine is.

She said “we really hope that this day… February 24th 2023… is the first and only time we celebrate or commemorate this anniversary… and that going forward in 2023 we have a new day to mark, and it will be Ukrainian victory day.”