Lloyd Ukrainians rally for freedom

A small group of Ukrainians and supporters waved their country’s flags in front of City Hall in the bitter cold to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

It was an emotional and meaningful day on Friday for Lilia Savchuk who escaped the war in her homeland five years ago to start a new life in Canada with her husband.

“It’s one year of war in Ukraine and nine years of small wars. It was started nine years ago,” said Savchuk, as if speaking to her countrymen and all Canadians.

“I want to say thank you to every fighter, every warrior in Ukraine. Thank you so much for your support and standing for Ukraine and fighting for Ukraine.”

Russia invaded and annexed the Crimea Peninsula in 2014 to trigger Ukraine’s long fight for freedom.

Savchuk comes from the western part of

Ukraine, not occupied by Russia, but says her dad, Bohdan, who is on a two-month family visit in Lloydminster, has a dangerous mission in the war effort.

Ukraine, I cannot begin to express the sorrow that I feel for the people of Ukraine and the turmoil they have experienced during this time,” said Aalbers.

He says it is important that we take a moment to reflect on the magnitude of this conflict and its impact on innocent civilians in Lloydminster’s sister city of Nikopol which has been heavily shelled by Russian artillery.

“He volunteers to deliver medical and military gear to hot spots to our fighters. He’s done it for nine years,” she said.

Savchuk admits it’s a high-risk activity with many YouTube videos conveying the danger.

“It’s crazy,” said Savchuk.

Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers provided a heartfelt statement on the plight of the Ukrainians over the past year in that wartorn country.

“As we mark the one-year anniversary of the ongoing war in

“Many families have been torn apart, and their homes, schools and places of worship have suffered extensive damage,” said Aalbers who adds the city stands in solidarity with the people of Nikopol.

“To our local Ukrainian community, I extend sympathy and support. We understand that many of you have friends and family members who have been directly affected by the war in Ukraine.”

Savchuk has her dad with her for now, but she misses him and her mom dearly when they are separated by time and distance and no end in sight to the mili - tary conflict.

“Every day, I call to my mom and to my dad and speak with them because you don’t know what will happen the next day,” she said.

Jim Mcardle, whose grandparents came to Canada from Ukraine decades ago, joined the group of flag wavers motivated by the spirit of Ukrainians to fight back.

“I came out a year ago when I saw Lilia out here by herself holding the flag and I wanted to do something too and I happen to have a Ukrainian flag,” said Mcardle.

Mcardle noted who would have thought a year later that we are still having a battle,” when asked what the day meant to him.

“Russia thought it was going to be over in three days and the Ukrainians have proven them wrong,” he said.

“A year later we’re still out here we’re still doing the battle and the Ukrainian community in Lloydminster has been doing a lot in support in fundraising.”

Savchuk says there is a small Ukrainian community in Lloydminster that has sent $25,000 to Ukraine already from the sale of pins.

“We sell the pins; they bring money to send to some volunteers to deliver medical and military gear,” said Savchuk.

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