Canadians mark Independence Day in Ukraine

Thursday marks Ukraine’s 32nd Independence Day – a time usually filled with celebrations, but with the backdrop of war, the Ukrainian community in Canada is coming together to support not only each other, but the war effort.

On this day in 1991, Ukraine gained its independence after 70 years of Soviet control, but fast-forward 32 years, Ukraine continues to fight for its independence.

“It’s a very emotional thing. 32 years, Ukraine is still fighting for it’s independence,” said Ruslan Zeleniuk, an attendee of the Independence Day ceremony at City Hall.

Ukrainians all across the country are marking this day that is both celebratory, yet solemn. In Winnipeg, dozens gathered at City Hall to raise the Ukrainian flag and sing the Ukrainian national anthem.

“Always been a Ukrainian. Always proud to be a Ukrainian-Canadian. Always proud of a nation that is fighting such a terrible enemy right now,” said Zeleniuk.

Kristina Rudanets was living in Kyiv when Russia invaded Ukraine back in February 2022. She remained in the country for about a year, until she moved to Winnipeg in March of this year – arriving on her own without her family, who remain in Ukraine at this time.

“Every day I pray for them. I speak with them, and we are all hoping this terrible war will end with Ukrainian victory,” she explained.

Rudanets is now an office administrator with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Manitoba Branch and is helping others who were in the same situation she was in a few months ago.

“I was afraid when I was on the plane, but when I got here, I felt like I was at home because it’s really true. No one is judging you, everyone is trying to help you, to support you, to give you a hand, to teach you and it’s amazing.”

Since 2022, Canada has committed over $8.9 billion in support for Ukraine, including more than $1.8 billion in military assistance. To date, over 170,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Canada, adding to the already 1.3 million Ukrainian-Canadians who already live here.

Well over 20,000 of them have arrived in Manitoba. Ihor Michalchyshyn from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress says it’s important for Canada to continue providing support.

“The war isn’t going to be over by March 31st in a fiscal year. The way that we think about programs is sometimes very narrow. The war continues and will continue unfortunately in the foreseeable future. We are just asking for continued flexibility and responsiveness as we have had so far on the needs of the population as they arise,” said Michalchyshyn.

Rudanets shares what Ukraine means to her on this special day.

“Ukraine, for me, is like a symbol of a woman, and this woman is not a small girl. Now she is a brave a strong woman. This woman can protect her family and relatives. We have shown the world who we are. Our strength. We can handle everything. We will fight until our victory.”