Linda Mikolayenko has lived in the tri-communities for nearly 20 years and enjoyed a career in administration and communications before retirement. (Submitted photo/Linda Mikolayenko)

By Derek Cornet

heritage

‘Good will triumph over evil’: Resident with Ukrainian roots reflects on Russian invasion

Mar 4, 2022 | 12:41 PM

“We must believe that good will triumph over evil and that light will overcome darkness.”

Those are the words of Air Ronge resident Linda Mikolayenko, who agreed to do an interview with larongeNOW about her connection to Ukraine and the current Russian invasion of that country. Both her father and her maternal grandparents immigrated to Canada from Ukraine and she still has many relatives who live there.

“The ones I have been able to reach were safe when I last communicated with them,” she said. “They had no intention of leaving, they dearly love their country. There are others that I have not yet been able to determine their status, so that is very worrisome. It has been heart-breaking to see the destruction and the loss of life, including innocent children and other civilians.”

The Russian invasion of Ukraine began Feb. 24 and since then thousands of soldiers on both sides have died. According to the United Nations, more than 1.2 million people have become refugees and close to 160,000 are internally displaced persons as of March 4.

In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea while Russian-backed separatist forces seized parts of south-eastern Ukraine, leading to an eight-year war in the region.

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“The invasion of Ukraine is something that should concern us all, the same way we should be concerned about other parts of the world that face violence, oppression or displacement,” Mikolayenko said. “We are all connected. All creation is connected.”

Sixteen years ago, Mikolayenko had the opportunity to visit Ukraine to visit her loved ones, noting she has a strong connection to the culture and country. In recent weeks, she mentioned she’s been appreciative of the number of people of non-Ukraine heritage who reached out to her to let her know they are thinking of her.

There are ways tri-community residents can assist the people of Ukraine. Mikolayenko encourages people to make donations to either the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, Development and Peace or the Red Cross. She also asks social media users refrain from posting hateful memes about the invasion as they are not helpful.

“I know many people are feeling helpless about the situation right now,” Mikolayenko said. “I can’t do much, either, except pray for hearts to be transformed, try to show my solidarity with my loved ones, and support the humanitarian efforts. Canadians should be wary of the various appeals, though. Check them out before donating.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno