On February 24, 2022, in the pre-dawn hours in Kyiv, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia fired missiles at Ukrainian apartment buildings. Russian artillery struck Ukrainian hospitals and schools. Russian tanks rolled west, north, and south, towards Kyiv, Kharkiv, Kherson and Dnipro.
But the invading Russian armies found a defiant Ukrainian nation. United as one, the Ukrainian people took up arms to defend their country and their freedom from Russia’s genocidal war. A year later, the Ukrainian people fight on.
Russia seeks the destruction of the Ukrainian state and the annihilation of the Ukrainian people. Russia purposely targets civilians and civilian infrastructure with air, missile and artillery strikes. Russian soldiers rape, torture and murder innocent people and forcibly abduct Ukrainian children. This is Genocide.
Thousands of Ukraine’s sons and daughters have given their lives in defence of their country. We honour their memory. Heroes Never Die. Герої не вмирають.
Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced from their homes by Russia’s war. We are grateful to Canadians who have generously donated in support of Ukraine. We are especially grateful to the many thousands of volunteers of our Ukrainian Canadian community, whose tireless commitment inspires and energizes us.
The Free World stands with Ukraine. Ukrainians fight courageously in defence not only of the freedom of their own country, but the freedom of Europe. We appeal to all nations to immediately provide the weapons and the economic aid Ukraine urgently needs to defeat Russia.
Let us do all in our power to ensure that this – the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale war – is the only anniversary.
Let us do all in our power to ensure that this year a new anniversary will arise – Ukraine’s Victory Day.
Слава Україні! Героям Слава!
On February 24, vigils and commemorative events will be held in over 40 communities across Canada. To find the event in your community please click below:
