Three Years of Resilience: Marking the Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

A Sombre Milestone: Edmonton Remembers the Invasion of Ukraine

Monday night, the city of Edmonton will hold a vigil to mark the sombre three-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a conflict that has left deep scars across Europe and beyond. On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, escalating a conflict that had been simmering since 2014. This war has become the deadliest and largest in Europe since the Second World War, resulting in hundreds of thousands of military casualties and tens of thousands of civilian deaths. The impact of this conflict has been felt far beyond Ukraine’s borders, with over 300,000 Ukrainians fleeing to Canada as refugees. Many of these refugees have found a new home in Alberta, with approximately 65,000 settling in the Edmonton area, a region already rich in Ukrainian heritage.

A Community Hub Born from Crisis: The Story of DON’YA Ukraine’s Kitchen

In north Edmonton, a unique community hub has emerged as a symbol of resilience and hope. Janice Krissa, an Edmontonian of Ukrainian descent, and her daughter founded DON’YA Ukraine’s Kitchen, a restaurant that has become a gathering place for both newcomers and long-time Canadians.Krissa never imagined starting a restaurant, but the war changed everything. When the invasion began, she and her friends organized a donation centre to support those affected by the conflict. As the centre grew, donors began asking if they could purchase food to show their support. Two volunteers from Ukraine suggested they try cooking, and what was meant to be a one-day event has now grown into a thriving business with its own kitchen and retail space.

Women United: Finding Strength in Shared Experiences

The kitchen is staffed by women who have fled the horrors of war in Ukraine, each carrying their own story of loss and resilience. One such woman is Svitlana Sukhovych, who held on for two years after the war began, hoping the conflict would resolve. Sukhovych’s family faced unique challenges, as her youngest child is on the Autism spectrum and requires consistent care. As the war drew closer to her home, she made the difficult decision to flee to Canada with her two sons. Despite the fear and uncertainty, Sukhovych found a sense of belonging at DON’YA Ukraine’s Kitchen, where she started working last month. “It’s nice to have this small community,” she said. “To laugh together, to cry together because you’re accepted. Everyone understands each other in terms of what we feel.”

A firefighter’s Mission: Supporting Ukraine from Abroad

The restaurant also serves as a space for advocacy and awareness. Firefighter Aid Ukraine, an organization dedicated to supporting Ukrainian first responders, recently hosted an event at DON’YA Ukraine’s Kitchen, showcasing powerful photographs from the frontlines. Anatoli Morgotch, a firefighter with the City of Edmonton and manager of Firefighter Aid Ukraine, has made four trips to Ukraine since 2022, delivering critical equipment and training to first responders. Morgotch’s connection to Ukraine is deeply personal; he was born there and still has family in the country. He fears for the long-term impact of the war on Ukraine’s children, who are growing up surrounded by violence and destruction. “The hardest part is just watching all the kids suffering,” he said. “Having kids just being so accustomed to explosions and military vehicles and gunfire is just something that no child should ever experience.”

A Call for Unity and Truth: Standing with Ukraine

Despite the strength of the Edmonton community, the ongoing conflict and shifting international politics weigh heavily on the minds of Ukrainians in Canada. Recent comments by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has falsely accused Ukraine of starting the war and suggested bartering for peace, have caused outrage and disbelief. For Svitlana Sukhovych, such statements are not only baffling but also hurtful. “Why would we start that? We were a peaceful country. We were growing. We were improving our lives there,” she said. Sukhovych and others like her are calling for the world to stand firm in support of Ukraine, emphasizing that surrender is not an option. “It’s important to not be scared to be on the right side. And it’s not only a question about the future of Ukraine, it’s a question about the future of Europe.”

Moving Forward Together: The Power of Community and Hope

As Edmontonians gather for the vigil on Monday night, they will do so with a mix of sorrow and hope. The event, organized by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Edmonton Branch, will take place at St. Basil Ukrainian Catholic Church and Cultural Centre, beginning at 6:30 p.m. For those who have lost so much, the support of their new community has been a lifeline. Janice Krissa reflects on the strength she sees every day at DON’YA Ukraine’s Kitchen. “They’re experiencing Canadian norms, Canadian employment practices, but they’re not doing it alone,” she said. “If there is a bad day, we’re getting through it together. We’re coming together. They don’t have to pretend to be happy. They support each other, but we keep moving forward.” As the city comes together to mark this sombre anniversary, the message is clear: resilience, unity, and hope will carry them through.