‘Not only Ukraine’s fight’: Kelowna gathers as Canada pledges support
Published 11:10 am Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Those in support of Ukrainian freedom gathered at Stuart Park to commemorate four years of the ongoing war with Russia.
Supporters flocked to the park, lighting candles and flying the Ukrainian flag in solidarity on Tuesday, Feb. 24 as the Eastern European country faces its fourth year of defence against an invasion by Russia.
“We light candles because light is a promise. A promise to remember those we have lost, to support those still fighting, to keep telling the truth and to keep showing up until Ukraine is free,” said Denys Storozhuk, president of Kelowna Stands with Ukraine, the group who organized the vigil.
“My hope, all of our hope, is that one day we will gather here not in another anniversary of invasion, but to celebrate victory.”
Russia first invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, starting a war that has mounted casualty numbers estimated to be as high as 1.8 million people between Russia and Ukraine, according to estimates by the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
“Ukraine is fighting every single day for their right to exist, for the right to choose its future, for the right to live without fear,” Storozhuk said during a speech during the Stuart Park vigil.
“It’s Ukraine’s fight, but it’s not only Ukraine’s fight. Because what’s happening in Ukraine is also a test to the world we want our children to have, a world where borders cannot be changed by force, where civilians are protected and democracy is defended not just with words but with action.”
On the anniversary, Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged $2 billion more to Ukraine in military aid as well as further sanctions against Russia which includes targeting a “shadow fleet” of Russian vessels that attempt to evade sanctions placed on the country.
The prime minister said told reporters on Feb. 24 that Canada is “in it for the long haul” with the country’s support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Storozhuk is calling for a permanent residency path for Ukrainians who came to Canada through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program. The Canadian government states that nearly 300,000 Ukrainians have come to Canada through the program between March 2022 and April 2024.
“Many of these families are living in constant uncertainty. They’re here on temporary status, depending on bureaucracy on whether (their) permits get extended or not,” Storozhuk said, adding that Kelowna Stands with Ukraine is petitioning the federal government for a pathway from the CUAET program to permanent residency for stability for those people and more opportunities for higher education for their youth.