Ukrainian Community in Regina Reflects as War Reaches Fifth Year Milestone
For Ganna Maksymenko, each day begins and ends with the same urgent ritual: sending a message to her 24-year-old daughter Anastasiia in Ukraine. "Just send me yes or no, that's it. I need to know," explains Ganna from her Regina apartment. "After that it's up to you if you want to, we can have a call to speak, but at least I must know that you're alive."
A Mother's Daily Vigil
This simple communication has become a lifeline for the Regina woman, who came to Canada during the Russian-Ukrainian war and is currently awaiting approval of her permanent residency visa. Her daughter returned to Ukraine in August 2025 despite the ongoing conflict, missing her friends and the comfort of her homeland.
Anastasiia currently resides in L'viv, a western Ukrainian city that, while removed from much frontline fighting, still experiences regular airstrikes and shelling attacks. She frequently spends two to three hours at a time in air strike shelters, a reality that keeps her mother constantly concerned.
Preparing for the Worst While Hoping for the Best
"I told her that you must be able to join me at any time in case of any emergency. We don't know what can happen," Ganna revealed, explaining that she's preparing a visitor visa for her daughter should the situation in Ukraine deteriorate further.
The Maksymenko family originally hails from Zaporizhzhia, an eastern region of Ukraine that remains partially under Russian military control according to data from the Institute for the Study of War. Ganna estimates the front line sits approximately 90 kilometers from their home city.
Canadian Immigration Response
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the federal department responsible for the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET), has implemented measures recognizing the ongoing conflict. A government spokesperson confirmed that Ukrainians will not be forced to leave Canada after their visas expire.
"When it is safe to do so, we expect many Ukrainians may wish to return home. For now, a pause on removals remains in effect for Ukraine," the IRCC stated in a prepared statement.
Uncertain Future in a New Home
Regina has been Ganna's home for more than three years, yet uncertainty looms as she worries about Zaporizhzhia's safety when her CUAET visa expires in two years. The active conflict continues to stretch from Ukraine's northeast border with Russia through the regions of Sumy and Kharkiv, carving through Donetsk and into Zaporizhzhia based on recent political violence data.
Ganna acknowledges her daughter's autonomy in choosing to live in a country at war, but the daily anxiety remains palpable. Her story reflects the broader experience of Ukrainian immigrants in Regina who maintain deep connections to their homeland while building new lives in Canada.
The Ukrainian community in Saskatchewan's capital continues to navigate the complex realities of displacement, family separation, and uncertain immigration status as the war enters its fifth year—a milestone that brings both reflection and renewed concern for loved ones still in harm's way.
