Ukrainian and Canadian flags danced together in the strong winds on an otherwise mild winter morning. Jeannette Benoit-Leipert Meridian Source
Although we see less coverage of it in the media than at the outset, the war in Ukraine still rages on.
Supporters of the Ukrainian cause gathered outside City Hall Saturday morning with flags and signs while many who passed by honked to show approval.
Some of the flags being flown were actually signed by Ukrainian soldiers.
“We’re here today because it’s the second year since the war started in Ukraine,” said Liliia Savchuk, who moved to Canada from Ukraine about nine years ago.
“We’re here to remind people that the war is not over, and Ukraine still needs support.”
Savchuk and her friend Alisa Oliinyk held a sign that said ‘Free Azovstal defenders’. On it, there were photos of two men before and after being held captive by Russian forces.
“He was like this before and when he came back to Ukraine in October, he looked like this,” said Savchuk.
“They were so tired and sick after being in Russian captivity. The world needs to know about what Russia is doing to the Ukrainian people.”
The Azovstal defenders are a group of Ukrainian patriots who led the resistance against the Russians at the siege of Mariupol at the beginning of the war. They held out for 86 days before being taken captive.
Recent reports from the UN say there have been upwards of 10,500 civilian casualties since the war started, and about 31,000 Ukrainian troops have died.
Savchuk and Oliinyk came to Canada about eight years ago, but they still have family there.
“My cousin was killed. He was just a farmer, and he went to fight for his home and his land,” said Oliinyk.
“He was just 35 years old with two kids; 10 and 12. Now they will grow up without their dad. It was so terrible.”
She said his widow and two children remain in Ukraine to be with her aunt and uncle who are seniors.
“She stayed with her mother and father-in-law. They are 65-plus. My aunty, she cries every day.”
Savchuk and Oliinyk say they are very grateful for everything Canadians and the Canadian government have done to help in war efforts and aid.
“Don’t stop because it’s worse and worse every day. On the news, there’s less and less information. Please don’t stop supporting Ukraine. We need this war to end because it will spread. I know,” said Oliinyk.
