Ukrainians in N.L. reflect on war and resilience, 3 years into Russia's invasion

Sofia Dubyk never planned to come to Canada. She moved to St. John's in October 2022, eight months into Russia's invasion of her home country, Ukraine.

She never imagined the pain, anxiety and war would continue this long, either. 

"It's not very healthy to think — everyday [of the] last three years — about the future, about tomorrow," Dubyk told CBC News.  

Dubyk says she lost friends during the annexation of Crimea in 2014. For her, this year marks not only three, but 11 years of war.

Her parents and sisters are still in Ukraine, but Dubyck says she's relieved her young son has found a safe place to live in Canada.

She now works for Newfoundland and Labrador's branch of the Ukrainian National Federation, and is transparent with her son about what is happening back home. 

He knows his father is a war veteran and often asks about his grandparents. 

"He [is] very radical," Dubyk said, laughing. "He understands who is who in this war, and I am happy."

WATCH | Did you know the Ukrainian culture has something similar to mummering? 

More than 80 per cent of Ukrainians are staying in N.L., national federation says

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On the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Here and Now’s Carolyn Stokes speaks with one newcomer about settling into her new life in Canada, signing her son up for Ukrainian language lessons and the worry she carries for the family members who stayed behind.

Bruce Lilly is the president of the Ukrainian National Federation in the province, commonly known as Ukrainian N.L..

Lilly said the province has seen over an 80 per cent retention rate of Ukrainians who have landed here since 2022. 

"They're finding their place in the community, they're adding to the community," said Lilly. "Their kids are going to school and they're being able to live a safe life."

Strength in community 

Ukrainian Earnest Kurish has made a life for himself in Happy Valley-Goose Bay as the general manager of Mamattuk restaurant. 

Like Dubyk, his parents remain in their home country.

"They're surviving," Dubyk told CBC Radio's The Signal.

"What I would like to admire is the resilience, you know, [the] strength of Ukrainians who stood through years of relentless war."

Katarina Gavrilyuk, the founder of Assistance Ukraine N.L., saw that resilience first-hand when she visited Ukraine this month.

Gavrilyuk said her best friend of 20 years serves in the Ukrainian army, so she flew there as soon as he had some time off. 

"He's a really strong man," she said. "He is a commander and he has his own people and he's responsible for their lives.… We don't talk about that much."

She said Ukrainians are too exhausted at this point to be angry about the war, but they will keep fighting. 

LISTEN | Members of N.L.'s Ukrainian community talk about life after three years of war: 

The Signal55:01Ukrainians reflect on the 3rd anniversary of Russia's invasion

As Ukraine's war with Russia enters its fourth year, we speak with folks from the Newfoundland and Labrador Ukrainian community. The conversation covers the latest on the war, how folks are coping back home and how the diaspora is doing in N.L.

Gavrilyuk says she's been blown away by the support of Ukrainians in Newfoundland and Labrador. Since she arrived in 2022, she's seen her culture become more prevalent, even finding Ukrainian candies on grocery store shelves. 

"It's important to keep talking about Ukraine," said Gavrilyuk. 

"You may ask anybody on the sidewalk, like, 'Do you have Ukrainians in your basement?' And 95 per cent they will say 'Yes, we do.'

"Thank you for supporting us. It's hard, and you did that for us, and we love you because you are our family right now."

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