Vancouver marks 3rd anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Hundreds gathered outside the Vancouver Art Gallery, and across the country, as part of a global day of action on Sunday.

Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, in a major escalation of the conflict that began in 2014.

“We are here today to remember the sacrifices of our defenders, the sacrifices and courage of our displaced people, and to put attention on the fact that the war is not over,” Sabrina Furminger told CityNews.

“We are committed to victory because of our independence and our freedom … there is nothing more important to Ukrainians,” she added.

The ongoing conflict has been described as the largest and deadliest conflict in Europe since the Second World War, leading to thousands of military and Ukrainian civilian casualties.

Since the invasion, thousands of Ukrainians have fled to Canada.

“I had to leave my country on the third day of war because my older sister was under Russian occupation and she called me and told me the tanks occupied her little village so I took my parents and we left,” Olha Byrledianu said Sunday.

The Government of Canada offered Ukrainian nationals temporary refuge through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel program, until March 31, 2025.

“It was very hard psychologically, but I was lucky to find a lot of support here, especially from college,” she added.

Other major cities across the country held similar rallies including Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Winnipeg.

Ukrainian activists say this year’s anniversary should be observed by all Canadians— especially in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated calls to make Canada the 51st state.

“We come together for a feeling of community, a feeling, and reminder that we are not alone,” Furminger said. “I think its really really real, now for non-Ukrainian Canadians in what might not have been before to have this neighbour next door who is saying all these awful things and may very well just act on it.”