Members of the local Ukrainian community gathered at Lloydminster City Hall to mark four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, urging residents not to forget a war they say is still claiming lives every day.
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The Feb. 22 rally was organized by the local branch of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress and led by Julia Kvitka.
“We are here to remind people the war is still going, we should not forget and we should bring awareness to the world. It’s still ongoing and it’s not stopping,” said Kvitka, noting a common misconception is that the war has ended because it no longer dominates daily headlines.
“It’s not on the news anymore and people tend to forget. If it’s not touching you personally, it’s like ‘it’s not about me, I don’t want to know about this.’ But it’s touching every family in Ukraine in one way or the other.”
Kvitka said many people believe the conflict is over when, in reality, civilians and children continue to die.
“Every day, people are dying, kids are dying and there’s a terrible situation in Ukraine,” she said. “Ukraine needs help and support from all over the world … even if it’s just information so people know it’s still happening.”
The message of this year’s rally echoed last year’s theme, she said.
“Last year’s message was ‘We need to save our country.’ That message has not changed,” said Kvitka. “Ukraine needs help.”
She also raised concerns about children in Russian-occupied territories, alleging many have been displaced or deported.
“There are 1.6 million kids in Russian occupied territories right now and about 20,000 were deported from Ukraine into Russia,” she said. “They are being forced to forget about Ukraine, to learn a new language, Russian, and forget about Ukraine.”
Kvitka alleged that some youths are being granted Russian citizenship and later compelled to serve in the Russian military.
“When they turn 18, they’re being put into the military and forced to fight against Ukraine on the Russian side,” she said. “Russia thought it would be a three-day operation. No, it’s still ongoing for four years, unfortunately.”
While acknowledging conflicts continue in other parts of the world, Kvitka said it is painful that the war in Ukraine persists.
“I know there are wars going on around the world but it’s sad this is still happening,” she said.
She encouraged Canadians to support Ukraine in any way they can.
“They can donate if they can but bringing awareness it’s still happening and not turning a blind eye (is also important).”
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