Some Ukrainians living in Manitoba say it’s hard to believe it’s been four years since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in that country, displacing millions into other countries.

Tens of thousands of those have sought safety in Manitoba. 

“We don’t know when it [will] stop, unfortunately,” said Solomiia Hoi, a Grade 12 student living in Winnipeg, who fled Ukraine more than three years ago. 

At the start of the conflict, she thought it would end within several weeks. But as time has marched on, she said it’s been increasingly hard to know that her friends — some of them Ukrainian soldiers — and family are still living through an all-out war.

“Sometimes I feel bad that I am here and not there, so I can’t help them. I can’t feel what they feel. I can’t feel the danger because I am in [a] safe place, but they are not,” Hoi said. 

Tuesday will mark four years since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. Nearly 300,000 Ukrainians came to Canada on emergency travel measures, with about 30,000 to Manitoba. 

Ahead of the solemn anniversary, hundreds of people gathered Sunday at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg to show solidarity with Ukraine and Ukrainians who now call the province home. 

The rally, attended by municipal, provincial and federal politicians, was organized by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. Similar rallies were held in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and other cities across the country. 

“It is with a heavy heart that we commemorate this fourth anniversary, but also a steely resolve and a commitment to supporting Ukraine,” said Premier Wab Kinew during the Winnipeg event. 

“As this war grows one day longer, I want everyone here and across the province to know that Manitoba’s support grows one day stronger,” he said, ending his speech with chants of Slava Ukraini or “Glory to Ukraine” in English.

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham said the city is home of one of the largest Ukrainian communities in Canada and is a sister city to Lviv. He said Winnipeggers will continue to support Ukraine. 

“We will stand with you until victory is secured,” Gillingham said. 

About 200 kilometres west, dozens of people draped in blue and yellow Ukrainian flags walked from Brandon University to city hall to mark four years since the invasion.

The Ukrainian flag was raised at both sites.

Oleksander Riabyi, who left Ukraine for Brandon three years ago, said he fears the war will “never end” and raised doubts that U.S.-brokered peace talks will be any more than “just words.”

“All people just struggle in Ukraine, here in Canada as well, because … all our souls are over there in Ukraine,” he said. “It’s horrible.”

Riabyi still has loved ones back in Ukraine but much of his immediate family has moved to Brandon. They plan to stay in Canada for good and flip to “a new page in our life,” especially now that he has permanent residency.

Oksana Golovka, who also came to Brandon and recently opened her own business in the city, hopes for a “bright future” and that the world will not need to mark a fifth anniversary.

The Brandon Ukrainian-Canadian Association Tryzub estimates more than 500 families have come to the city since the war began.

On Sunday, Ukraine’s Emergency Service said one person was killed by Russian missile and drone attacks in the suburbs of Kyiv. Eight other people — including a child — were rescued from the rubble. 

Bohdana Yordan, who has been living in Winnipeg for three years since leaving Ukraine, said it’s difficult for others to understand what her home country is going through. 

“For Canadians, it’s hard to believe that people in Ukraine have such a horrible reality. It’s unacceptable. It shouldn’t be like that,” she said, adding she feels a deep sense of sorrow for those still living through war back home.

“Yes, we left our country — but our country didn’t leave our hearts,” she said, hoping for peace to come soon.