CANORA — People from all around Saskatchewan and across Canada have been showing their concern and support for residents of Ukraine who are facing uncertainty and danger due to the Russian invasion led by Vladimir Putin, which is happening thousands of kilometres away. But for a young Canora family, it might as well be happening next door.
Along with their nine-year-old son Roman, Vadym and Iryna Zaika emigrated to Canada in July 2021 and took up residence in Canora where Vadym works on a nearby farm.
He studied agriculture in school, and had an enjoyable job as a farm manager in the Ukraine. But then the Russians under Vladimir Putin made their takeover in Crimea in 2014.
“Until the conflict with Russia, work was good,” said Vadym in an interview on Sunday evening. “But then things changed. We wanted to protect the safety of our family, so we decided we would leave. We applied for a Visa in the United States, be we were not accepted there.”
While in Ukraine he was working in the Donbass region, which is the main focus of the present conflict. But even though the young family has found safety in Canada, their hearts are with friends and relatives still living in Ukraine and dealing with the Russian invasion under Putin.
“We are lucky to be here in Canora, but we are so worried about people we know who are close to the fighting,” said Vadym. “We are so thankful that so far the Internet is still working and we can keep in touch and find out how they’re doing.”
Vadym’s brother Pavlo and his wife live in the city of Sumy, where there is death and destruction all around them. Vadym said Pavlo and his wife’s home includes a large basement with no windows, which is “more like a bunker.” They have invited over 20 friends and neighbours to hide in the basement in an effort to stay safe.
“On the third day of the invasion, Pavlo got a little stir crazy and went upstairs,” shared Vadym. “While he was up there, a bomb exploded nearby that destroyed two houses and left at least one person dead, so he went right back downstairs. Everyone is in shock, they don’t know what to do, what to expect. They have enough food in the basement for now, but going shopping is very dangerous, and they have no idea how long the war will last.”
He’s been told many members of the Russian military are running out of supplies and have turned to robbing Ukrainian shops.
According to information out of Ukraine on Sunday, 198 civilians, including children, had already been killed, with more than 1,000 wound. Vadym said the first Ukrainian death was a close friend who worked as a sailor on a military vessel, and left behind a four-year-old daughter.
Vadym would like all Canadians to know that information coming out of Russian regarding the Ukraine is completely false.
“Putin and the Russians are saying that Ukrainians are dangerous to Russia, and that’s just not true.”
The Zaika family has received messages of support from all over the world, including friends from Mexico and India, as well as right here in Saskatchewan.
“I have been pleasantly surprised, people are always asking about the situation and telling us, “We’re praying for you,'” said Vadym.
“People should know what’s happening, and that we need not just words of support. We need money, guns, medicine, just about everything. Putin, it’s like he’s living in his own world,” added Iryna. “I never thought this could happen in 2022.”
