Ukrainians in Edmonton mark third anniversary of Russian invasion

The Ukrainian community in Edmonton came together to mark the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Community members say they hope for peace and a better future.

“It’s deep sorrow and just the realization that it’s not fair like I sometimes feel guilty,” said Iryna kosanko, Ukrainian who fled Ukraine.

kosanko had to flee Ukraine two and a half years ago looking for a safe place. She tells CityNews she feels guilty living in Edmonton while her family is still in Ukraine.

“There’s no safe place in Ukraine at all, my family lives very close to the Russian border, so the area is not really the best, not the safest,” said kosanko. They have a lot of drones flying over their place. And it’s been really hard for them to live there but still they don’t want to leave. 

“I’m worried about my family because they’re still there,” said Oxana Yaromemko, Ukrainian who fled Ukraine.

Just like kosanko, Yaromemko had to leave Ukraine five days after the Russian invasion of Kyiv. She said she came to Canada hoping her two daughters can have a better future.

“My mom is still there, my sister and another family, my sister’s husband is fighting right now so everyday is very stressed for me because I’m worried about their family,” said Yaromemko. “Everyday it’s like some kind of surviving.”

“We’re very concerned that three years later we are still here,” said Orysia boychuk, president of Ukrainian Canadian congress, Alberta provincial council.

Ukraine is still fighting the battle. Three years later, Ukraine is holding its ground fighting for its democracy for its freedom.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the Ukrainian Canadian congress says over 200,000 Ukrainians have come to Canada seeking refuge.

“I can feel that I’m like at home,” said Yaromemko. “I have so many friends, people who can help me.”

Even though they’re safe in Edmonton both Yaromemko and kosanko worry about the safety of their families in Ukraine hoping for peace in the near future.

“I want to be hopeful,” said Kosanko. “No body is going to take it away from me.”

“We’re all hoping for Ukraine to maintain a sovereign independent country, a country that will become part of the European union and that people will be able to live in a civil society,” said Boychuk.

The Ukrainian community in Edmonton is holding a rally and a vigil Monday evening to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.