Saskatchewan honours Ukrainians on 3rd anniversary of Russia's invasion

Events were held throughout the province Monday to mark the sombre three-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Saskatchewan has welcomed nearly 8,000 Ukrainians who fled the conflict since.

A photo exhibit in Saskatoon displays the damage that's been done to religious temples in Ukraine during the war.

The exhibit opened Sunday at Saskatoon's Musée Ukraina. The museum said more than 660 religious sites from different religions have been obliterated or damaged, many of them historic or cultural landmarks.

The museum's president said the exhibit shows just a fraction of the country's ongoing destruction. 

"Many of these buildings are old buildings, [with] much historical value and are just for the well-being of people," Anna Mycyck said.  "We know that having faith and having a place to gather and worship in one's belief is very important."

Mycyck said the first way to destroy a culture is to destroy the people's faith and heritage. The photos were taken from an exhibit in Kyiv, Ukraine.

"We want to educate and we also want to learn, many times when people come to the museum, we are also learning from them," Mycyck said. "Sometimes people say we can't look at these posters, it's too close to home and they walk away."

She expects the exhibit to stay up until Easter. 

Trudeau says Canada stands with Ukraine

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Ukraine Monday along with other Western political leaders.

The visit comes just a week after U.S. President Donald Trump's public attacks on Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom Trump dismissed as a "dictator." Trump also criticized Velenskyy's leadership abilities and has demanded Ukraine's critical minerals in exchange for continued U.S. military support. 

European leaders asked Trudeau if he was willing to commit to enforce a possible peace agreement.

Trudeau said that he will continue to be there for Ukraine and that Canada will have to increase its military spending and participation in global security as the world becomes a more uncertain place.

Political figures in Saskatchewan are also expressing their support for the community. 

"I am inspired by the resilience and pride of the Ukrainian people that have chosen to reside here — whether for months or for generations," Carla Beck, Saskatchewan's Opposition leader, said in a statement Monday. 

"Your strength and commitment serve as a beacon of hope for all who believe in a world built on human rights and democracy."

A candlelight ceremony was held Monday at Regina's legislative building to honour victims of the war. 

"I think that so many people respect the Ukrainian people, especially here in Saskatchewan, we're very happy to have hosted as many displaced Ukrainians as we could," Jamie Martens, the Legislative Secretary responsible for Saskatchewan-Ukraine Relations, said at the event.

"Everyone truly stands behind Ukraine and they really want this war to end."

In a Monday statement, the province said it's providing displaced Ukrainians with access to language training, settlement, community support and connections to employers.

The Provincial Capital Commission announced funding for restoration on the Holodomor Monument in Regina's Wascana Centre. The monument memorializes the man-made famine endured by Ukrainian people at the hands of the Soviet Union from 1932 to 1933. 

Ceremonies were also held at Saskatoon's Ukrainian Museum of Canada and at St. Thomas More College's Chapel.