Ukrainians in Canada make the best of Christmas this year after fleeing Russian invasion | 24CA News

This time of 12 months is all about celebration and being shut with household and associates, and for a lot of Ukrainians who fled their houses amid the Russian invasion, and at the moment are in Windsor, Ont., this vacation is bittersweet.

Hundreds of hundreds of Ukrainians have come to Canada since February, when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion. 

Kostiantyn Cherniaiev arrived in Windsor from Poland final week along with his spouse Inna, after a 35-hour journey.

“People were really kind and friendly to us — everyone tried to help us,” mentioned Cherniaiev. “They came to Toronto airport, and came picked us up and brought us to Windsor at night. It was probably 4 a.m. It was amazing.”

Cherniaiev is greater than grateful to be in Canada to start out his new life. He and his spouse had been in a position to deliver their canine Sever, which makes it extra snug for him. 

But this Christmas is wanting “completely different” than years earlier than, he mentioned. 

“I used to spend my Christmas with my family, with a lot of people, with my wife’s family. We always went to the Christmas Market in downtown Kyiv,” he mentioned. 

“It’s actually a really difficult situation now in Ukraine. Last few days, my parents [had] no electricity at all. And when you don’t have electricity there, you don’t have also water because it pumps with electricity.”

He and his spouse’s dad and mom and grandparents stay of their house nation.

Cherniaiev mentioned he and his spouse are taking advantage of it, and their household is encouraging them to proceed with their lives right here.

Cherniaiev expects it might take a least a decade for Ukraine to rebuild. So he hopes to stay in Canada. 

“I just want to thank you, everyone, Poland and Canada for the support of Ukrainians,” he mentioned. “It’s beautiful. I really like it. People are kind and friendly. This is amazing.”

Going again for the vacations 

Kate Snitko arrived in Windsor in July from Poland. Her roommate, Alona Ievleva, got here to the southwestern Ontario metropolis across the identical time.

“I’m living with the best people ever I think, so I’m feeling really happy here,” mentioned Snitko. 

“The one problem is I miss my parents, I miss my brother, I miss my grandparents … they are always in danger and they are trying to think positive. They have already bought a Christmas tree and presents. I’m proud of them, really.” 

Snitko mentioned her dad and mom are unable to go away their nation as a result of her father is within the navy. She misses them deeply. 

“It’s sad. I’m thinking about maybe delivering a present to their house,” she mentioned. 

Ievleva mentioned the Canadian household she stayed with when she first arrived helped her settle in, earlier than she moved in with Snitko and her boyfriend. 

“It’s nice to have friends that speak Ukrainian, and love you and support you.” 

But she is considering of her dad and mom and boyfriend who’re nonetheless in Ukraine. 

“I cannot stop thinking about my family there,” Ievleva mentioned.

Ievleva is aware of it is a danger, however plans to return to Ukraine for a two-week go to on the finish of December. She mentioned her household needs to see her, and she or he hopes they’re going to all be secure.