Today marks the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and what turned out to be a protracted, bloody war.
Since then, thousands of Ukrainians have chosen to leave the country to ensure the safety of their children and families.
Oksana Makarenko and her children left Kiev shortly after the outbreak of war and fled to Italy where she heard about a program to welcome Ukrainians from Newfoundland and Labrador.
Her husband, a member of the Ground Guard, decided to stay put and protect the property left vacant by the Ukrainians who left the area.
(Photo by Oksana Makarenko).
A home dance teacher in Kiev, she says she can’t imagine how much life has changed in just one year.
She said at the time that she was working on a concert with her students. And although he felt yesterday, that period of his life was over.
(Photo courtesy of Andrew Fury’s Twitter page).
Meanwhile, a public ceremony marking the anniversary of the war in Ukraine will be held this evening at the Confederation Building in St. John’s.
Ukrainians and members of the public are invited to gather in the main concourse of the Confederation Building at 5:30 p.m. to remember the fallen and honor the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people.
Meanwhile, Makarenko says she and her children were warmly welcomed in Newfoundland and continue to be touched by the help and support she has received. She works at St. John’s, her children go to school, and she looks forward to the day when her husband can join her here.
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