From the frontlines of the war in Ukraine to Saskatoon

The pain in the room was palpable.

On the second anniversary of the full-scale invasion of their homeland, the Ukrainian community in Saskatoon came together to mark the tragic milestone.

In fact, hostilities by Russia had begun in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and proxy forces fighting to capture the eastern part of the country. But war came for all Ukrainians on Feb. 24, 2022 when tanks and Russian troops made a dash for the capitol of Kyiv, and jet fighters sortied overhead. In subsequent days, rockets would rain down on populated civilian areas, killing indiscriminately, and the world watched in horror as the lessons of the 20^th century, learned at such a dear price in Europe, seemingly evaporated.

More than 150 attendees packed the hall at the Nutana Legion Branch No. 362 to hear firsthand accounts of the war, and to show support and raise funds for Ukraine.

In the room were Canadians of Ukrainian descent, along with recent refugees from the war, their young children blissfully unaware of the solemnity of the occasion. Their playful antics provided the only glimmer of joy on a day full of painful memories.

The attendees at the Ukrainian Canadian Congress of Saskatoon event had first participated in a car rally earlier in the day that saw a long line of vehicles proudly sporting the Ukrainian flag circle the city.

At the Legion Hall, photographs of the devastation in Ukraine showed wounded, but defiant, Ukrainian civilians-turned-soldiers, emergency shelters, displaced families and ruined buildings. Another display, titled Unissued Diplomas, on loan from the Prairie Centre for the Study of Ukrainian Heritage at STM College, showcased 36 young Ukrainian students who would never graduate. They are but a representative sample of those who have been cut down in the prime of their lives by the war.

Dr. Nadya Foty-Oneschuk, Interim Director of PCUH, served as master of ceremonies.

She said the purpose of the day for supporters was to not only reflect on the past, but to stand resolutely in solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Ukraine who continue to fight and die daily for the simple reason that they are Ukrainian.

“According to Kremlin rhetoric, Ukrainian history, Ukrainian language, and Ukrainian culture are fake. They do not have a right to exist. Therefore Ukrainians, those courageously living this nightmare in Ukraine, and even the millions comprising the Ukrainian diaspora around the world, none of us have the right to exist,” she said. “Yet we do.”

“After centuries of genocidal attempts, and countless traumatized generations, one thing remains certain: Ukrainians were never meant to survive, yet we did.”

This latest attack on Ukraine has seen 4.9 million citizens internally displace, said Foty-Oneschuk, with six million more becoming refugees abroad. There are more than 20,000 Ukrainian children who have been stolen into Russian captivity and upwards of 100,000 civilian casualties, she added.

UCC-Saskatoon member Iryna Matsiuk introduced the event’s guest speakers, both veterans of the war, and translated their presentations into English.

Vitalii Kodria was an art teacher in Ukraine before going on to manage a regional centre for technology and then becoming a museum director. In Saskatoon, Vitalii does interior renovations and in his free time he creates designs for T-shirt and vinyl stickers. He says his dream is to dedicate more time to his art.

Kodria talked about how indoctrinated the Russian people have become with the Kremlin-inspired narrative that Ukrainians do not have value. He read intercepted messages between Russian soldiers and their family members which talked about the joy they experienced torturing and killing Ukrainians.

Their messages of naked hatred were so savage and horrifying, the combat veteran became overwhelmed with emotion and had to take a moment to compose himself.

He then told the story of his military service after the invasion. Those were desperate hours and days, he said, when his undersized brigade was equipped with outdated equipment and not enough ammunition. Even when prime Russian targets presented themselves, they were told to remain hidden and only observe, because there were no artillery shells available to be fired.

The next speaker was Vladyslav Dudko, who was the operator of a taekwondo club in Odesa in the southwest of Ukraine before becoming a citizen-soldier. During the first days of the full-scale war, he joined a volunteer territorial defence unit protecting the border with Transnistria.

He carried his own shotgun when he started his service during those first, harried days of the invasion. His comrades likewise brought what they could with them, some who were foreign citizens living in Odesa that joined the fight to defend the city.

Later his unit was moved east to the Mykolaiv and Kherson regions and took the opportunity to train on weapons and tactics when they could.

In June 2023 Vladyslav and his family arrived in Saskatoon where he established an Olympic taekwondo sports club, which became a member of the Saskatchewan Tae Kwon-Do Federation International.

He thanked the crowd for the support the Saskatchewan Ukrainian community has shown for Ukraine, and to him and his family. He was especially grateful to discover his young daughter would be able to attend a Ukrainian school in Saskatoon.

He finished his talk with a photo of himself and two of his proud young athletes from Saskatoon at the Canada Open Taekwondo event in Vancouver from earlier in February, where Saskatchewan captured second place, bringing the story of his personal journey to a happy and safe conclusion. But, he added, its very important that citizens in Canada continue to advocate for Ukraine and show support for Ukraine financially and militarily.

Pat Tymchatyn, president of UCC Saskatoon, said the work of the organization has never been more important.

“With the kindness and devotion of Saskatonians, and Saskatoon’s giving businesses, we’ve raised over $200,000 that has been sent directly to assist with Ukraine’s defence and to provide humanitarian aide to those in need,” said Tymchatyn.

She proudly pointed to three Ukrainian brigade flags signed by soldiers that was sent as a gesture of thanks.

“We’ve funded medical supplies for hospitals, and medical kits for defenders. We’ve funded drones and communication equipment, helped to purchase vehicles for evacuation of wounded and delivery aid to the front lines.”

She urged the public to keep donating to organizations working to keep Ukraine free and independent, and vowed every dollar donated would be well spent.

“Let us help Ukraine win, and bring the so much wished-for peace to its brave people.”

Anyone interested in donating to help Ukraine can find out how by visiting:

Ukrainian Canadian Congress Saskatoon Branch

Statement from PCUH On the two-year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine

As Ukrainians around the world mark the two-year anniversary of the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion into Ukraine, we not only reflect on everything that has happened since, but we stand – resolutely – in continued solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, who continue to fight and perish daily for the simple reason that they are Ukrainian.

The two years being marked is, in reality, ten years since Russian soldiers illegally crossed Ukraine’s borders and illegally annexed Ukrainian land, with the world idly standing by. Ten years of occupied Ukrainian villages, towns, and cities. Ten years of stolen passports, brutal interrogations and torture, and people (including children) that have simply gone missing.

What we have witnessed in the last two years is perhaps the most brazen attack on our people. As a result, we have seen the most resilient response of our people. As we all remember President Zelensky’s now-famous words, “I need ammunition, and not a ride.” How painfully ironic it is that right now, on this day, these words still ring so painfully true.

The statistics and numbers of the last two years are staggering. In the last 730 days of Putin’s so-called “3-day war,” we’ve seen 4.9 million internally-displaced Ukrainians, 6 million refugees abroad, over 20,000 Ukrainian children stolen into Russian captivity, and civilian casualties nearing 100,000, with missiles flying into Ukrainian airspace and claiming Ukrainian lives daily. 

May the international community renew their efforts of supporting Ukraine at this most critical time, as they resist on behalf of the democratic world all by themselves. We will continue doing all we can to raise awareness of this fact until the fateful day of Ukrainian victory. Stand with Ukraine, because they stand on behalf of us all.

Slava Ukraiini! Glory to Ukraine!

Dr. Nadya Foty-Oneschuk
Interim Director
Prairie Centre for the Study of Ukrainian Heritage