Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis many Ukrainian civilians have fled to seek refugee status in neighbouring countries such as Poland and Moldova; however, for some, this is not an option. On February 24, 2022, the Ukrainian government imposed Martial Law making it illegal for men between the ages of 18 and 60 to leave the country.  Grygorii Rozdorozhniuk, a recent immigrant from Ukraine who currently resides in Griffin, SK gives us an update as to how this and the ongoing Russian invasion is affecting his family. 

Grygorii’s brother Andrii Rozdorozhniuk along with his wife and two small children have now been able to flee Kyiv to the western part of Ukraine to a city called Khmelnytskyi. The cities are approximately 350 kilometers apart, it took the family eight hours to reach Khmelnytskyi. 

These times of conflict mean Rozdorzhniuk’s family is challenged to make some very difficult decisions. 

“I asked him if he could at least send his wife and kids to Poland, and from Poland, we would be able to buy plane tickets for them so they would come to our place here in Canada, but his wife doesn’t want to go without him,” shared Rozdorozhniuk. 

Rozdorozhniuk's elderly father also refuses to abandon his home, "I can't convince him to try and get out of that area, he refuses to leave because that's his house, he spent all his life building the house and everything around the house, he doesn't want to leave."

Rozdorozhniuk’s cousin, Pavel Babaev who has a wife and small child continues to stay in Kyiv along with Pavel’s 90-year-old grandmother, all are refusing to leave. 

“He (Pavel Babaev) was considering joining militaries, but he said there are so big lines of volunteers, that it’s not even possible, because militaries are only accepting those who have military experience,” explained Rozdorozhniuk.  

Rozdorozhniuk’s mother, Ludyla has fled Kyiv by train and is also expected to arrive in Khmelnytskyi. 

In an effort to give support, Streamline Oilfield Services Ltd. of Weyburn has set up a trust account to donate to the Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal. Streamline is pledging to donate a minimum of $5000 but will match all donations received up to a maximum of $10,000. To donate to the cause, you can e-transfer to sbrady@streamlineoilfield.com or they will accept cash or cheque dropped off at their office at 130 Minard Road, donations will be accepted until March 31, 2022.