Sask. leaders mark third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

People around the world marked the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Monday, including political leaders in Saskatchewan.

Premier Scott Moe called the invasion “immoral, unprovoked and unjustified” in a post on social media.

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The premier said Saskatchewan has and will continue to support displaced Ukrainians living in the province, and will also continue to support Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself.

NDP Leader Carla Beck also issued a statement to mark the anniversary, sending her condolences to the Ukrainian community and saying her party stands with them.

Beck said the NDP knows Ukraine didn’t start the war and that there is “no doubt” Ukraine should be at the table for any peace talks – a reference to recent comments from U.S. President Donald Trump that Kyiv started the war, and talks on the war between Trump and the Russian president which didn’t involve Ukraine.

“Here at home, I am inspired by the resilience and pride of the Ukrainian people who have chosen to reside here – whether for months or for generations,” Beck said. “Your strength and commitment serve as a beacon of hope for all who believe in a world built on human rights and democracy.”

According to the provincial government, nearly 8,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Saskatchewan since the invasion, and between February, 2022 and September, 2024, 624 Ukrainians have settled in the province as permanent residents.

Events were held over the weekend to mark the anniversary, and another event was held at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building Monday morning.

Meanwhile, during a visit to Kyiv on Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged $5 billion dollars in aid to Ukraine, using money from seized Russian assets.

Ukrainian in Saskatchewan reflects on early days of war

Sonia Serha has been in Saskatchewan for over one year now, after fleeing Ukraine due to the war.

Serha is from Zaporizhzhia, but was studying at the University in Kharkiv, which is right next to the Russian border, when the invasion occurred. She joined the Evan Bray Show to discuss the war from the very beginning, and said she remembers the morning it all began.

Listen to Serha on the Evan Bray Show:

“I woke up at like 4 a.m. from the explosions,” she recalled. “I was shaking and crying and I didn’t know what was going on.”

Serha said she immediately called her mom, who told her to come home right away. Serha, along with her friend and both of their families, spent every night in a bomb shelter.

“Some people were sleeping,” she said. “We weren’t, really, because the bomb shelter we had in our neighborhood was just an underground parking lot of the shopping mall.”

The Ukrainian government was offering free evacuation train rides to western Ukraine, so Serha and her friend decided to get on one of the trains.

“Her mom was an eight-month pregnancy, so she couldn’t go anywhere,” said Serha. “My mom had my granny, who was really sick, so she also couldn’t go anywhere.”

Serha said she doesn’t know if her mom would ever leave the country.

“She’s never been outside of Ukraine,” she said. “She doesn’t speak any language except for Ukrainian, so I guess it’s really scary to go anywhere else.”

Donations needed for Ukrainians

With so many Ukrainians having to leave almost everything behind, clothing donations can mean the world to them.

The Donation Centre for Displaced Ukrainians in Regina tries to split the donations fairly.

“It’s basically just controlling the flow to make sure everybody gets what they need,” said the centre’s Dana Lesiuk. “When people land here, they come with nothing.”

Lesiuk said that at most, those fleeing the conflict will arrive with a backpack or suitcase.

The donation centre takes in a wide variety of items to help set up Ukrainians for success in Canada.

“In the beginning when they get here, they can find furniture they need,” said Lesiuk. “We want to give them the best start that they could have here.”

–with files from 650 CKOM’s Will Mandzuk