B次元官网网址淎 few months before the war, it felt like something would happen. In some ways, I was prepared; I had a medical bag, lots of medicine and food,B次元官网网址� recalled Sasha Mushkudiani days before her life changed forever on Feb. 24, 2022. 

B次元官网网址淚 was getting ready to make the trip to the U.S. and at 4 o'clock in the morning, my husband called and told me B次元官网网址楽asha the war startedB次元官网网址� and we started to hear explosions.B次元官网网址�

Living B次元官网网址渧ery closeB次元官网网址� to the Ukrainian parliament in Kyiv, MushkudianiB次元官网网址檚 daily life was thrown into chaos. 

In constant fear of the next air raid heralded by the dreaded sirens echoing from all corners of the city, it didnB次元官网网址檛 take long for the woman to see the impact of the war. 

B次元官网网址淢any civilian cars were shot by Russians,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淐ars with kids, cars with older people. They knew that those people were civilians and they killed them.B次元官网网址�

More than two years after Russia's full-scale invasion, Mushkudiani left Ukraine after a rocket struck near her home.

B次元官网网址淚 had a feeling that the whole building jumped,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淎fter that, I realized that I could not concentrate on my job with all the sirens going constantly. I did not sleep for two years.

B次元官网网址淪ome tasks I would do in 15 minutes took me four hours.B次元官网网址�

Moving to the Island in May 2024, the newcomer now supports her parents in Ukraine, who remain on her mind every waking moment.

Mushkudiani, along with some of B.C.'s 11,000 Ukrainian refugees and Greater Victoria residents, braved the rain to honour lives lost as the war marked its third year. 

A ceremony organized by the Ukrainian Cultural Centre began at 2 p.m. (Feb. 23) with a human chain along VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Douglas Street, followed by a car rally to the B.C. legislature at 4 p.m.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e gathering to remember our fallen soldiers and victims of this war,B次元官网网址� said organization president Andriy Fabrikov. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e trying to stay together, strong as a community, and say thank you to Canada for all the help.B次元官网网址�

A tradition that started in 2022, Fabrikov believed it was his duty, and that of his organization, to keep the conflict at the forefront and not forget a war he never expected to happen.

B次元官网网址淣obody expected this to be lasting for three years. Everybody was thinking probably it would be a couple of weeks, maybe one or two months maximum. However, it's already year three. It's very scary.B次元官网网址�

Despite all the horror and misery brought by war, both Fabrikov and Mushkudiani found a silver lining. Both witnessed a national story of strength and resilience.

B次元官网网址淚 understood how strong our nation is because we just helped each other in any moment,B次元官网网址� said Mushkudiani. B次元官网网址淲e did not have electricity, we did not have heating. However, our restaurants were open with generators. Our teachers were giving lessons, even without electricity, in cold apartments.B次元官网网址�

Though two expressed "frustration and anger" at the ongoing war and U.S. President TrumpB次元官网网址檚 recent claims B次元官网网址� calling Zelenskyy a B次元官网网址渄ictatorB次元官网网址� who prompted the war B次元官网网址� their spirits remain high.

B次元官网网址淚 feel tired and disappointed, however, I still feel hope,B次元官网网址� said Mushkudiani.

Amid recent threats from Trump to declare Canada the 51st state and a potential tariff war, Mushkudiani is proud to call Canada her home for now.

B次元官网网址淚 feel it was a very good choice to come to Canada,B次元官网网址� said Mushkudiani smiling. B次元官网网址淚 feel like now we are on the same boat.

B次元官网网址淐anadians opened their hearts to us and I do feel like a valuable member of society here. They are giving me the hope that the good will prevail.B次元官网网址�