香蕉视频直播淎 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,香蕉视频直播� recalled Sasha Mushkudiani days before her life changed forever on Feb. 24, 2022. 

香蕉视频直播淚 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 香蕉视频直播楽asha the war started香蕉视频直播� and we started to hear explosions.香蕉视频直播�

Living 香蕉视频直播渧ery close香蕉视频直播� to the Ukrainian parliament in Kyiv, Mushkudiani香蕉视频直播檚 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 didn香蕉视频直播檛 take long for the woman to see the impact of the war. 

香蕉视频直播淢any civilian cars were shot by Russians,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淐ars with kids, cars with older people. They knew that those people were civilians and they killed them.香蕉视频直播�

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

香蕉视频直播淚 had a feeling that the whole building jumped,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淎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.

香蕉视频直播淪ome tasks I would do in 15 minutes took me four hours.香蕉视频直播�

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 Victoria香蕉视频直播檚 Douglas Street, followed by a car rally to the B.C. legislature at 4 p.m.

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e gathering to remember our fallen soldiers and victims of this war,香蕉视频直播� said organization president Andriy Fabrikov. 香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e trying to stay together, strong as a community, and say thank you to Canada for all the help.香蕉视频直播�

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.

香蕉视频直播淣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.香蕉视频直播�

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.

香蕉视频直播淚 understood how strong our nation is because we just helped each other in any moment,香蕉视频直播� said Mushkudiani. 香蕉视频直播淲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.香蕉视频直播�

Though two expressed "frustration and anger" at the ongoing war and U.S. President Trump香蕉视频直播檚 recent claims 香蕉视频直播� calling Zelenskyy a 香蕉视频直播渄ictator香蕉视频直播� who prompted the war 香蕉视频直播� their spirits remain high.

香蕉视频直播淚 feel tired and disappointed, however, I still feel hope,香蕉视频直播� 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.

香蕉视频直播淚 feel it was a very good choice to come to Canada,香蕉视频直播� said Mushkudiani smiling. 香蕉视频直播淚 feel like now we are on the same boat.

香蕉视频直播淐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.香蕉视频直播�