Millions of people have fled Ukraine as Russian attacks continue, and it is hitting close to home for Ukrainian nationals living in Moose Jaw.  

Mila Kyslytsia lives in Moose Jaw and works at McDougall Acres. Originally from Uman, Ukraine, she moved to Canada nearly seven years ago with her husband Alex.  

Most of her family is still over in Ukraine. Her dad came over to Canada to visit in January and has not gone back. However, her mom, two grandmothers, aunts, uncles and cousins are still back in her home country.  

Kyslytsia said she kept in contact with some of her family, while she has lost contact with others.  

“I've lost contact with two of my cousins and my cousin's wife. She delivered a baby in her hometown of Izyum and now this town has been completely destroyed and we haven't heard from her for five days already,” she said.  

She added that in Izyum Russian forces are not allowing any humanitarian aid or evacuation and communication to people in the town is very difficult.  

Kyslytsia gave us an idea of what the situation is like in Ukraine since the invasion began back on Feb. 24.  

She said the Ukrainian forces have been doing their best to defend their country, but a lot of cities and homes have been destroyed. Thousands of civilians have died. However, she said it's hard to know numbers because there is no contact with towns like Izyum to know how many are dead or alive.  

Meanwhile, Kyslytsia said the Russian government is telling their people that they are only aiming at military operations, but residential areas, schools and hospitals have been shelled.  

Areas of the country have been left without power including the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. The plant is now running on a generator, but once that gives out it could lead to an environmental catastrophe.  

Talking to friends and family back home, Kyslytsia said they are having a hard time understanding why Russia is invading Ukraine. She said Russian propaganda is telling people that Russia needs to save the Russian-speaking population in Ukraine. At her work at McDougall Acres, she said she’s worked with Russian-speaking Ukrainians and there have never been any disagreements over the language.  

“Ukraine is not waiting to be saved by Russian people,” she said.  

Like many stressful situations, Kyslytsia said there are stages of emotions from denial to anger, depression and acceptance. She said she isn’t at the stage of acceptance yet, but is feeling anger towards to the situation.  

“It's like a bad dream you want to wake up from, but you can't. Every morning you wake up not realizing what is going on and I think that any Ukrainian is thinking is how to stop this nightmare,” she said.  

She added that Russia is led by people who only know how to get what they want through force, using wars in Chechnya, Georgia, Afghanistan and Syria. If Russia succeeds in Ukraine, she said other countries are concerned about being taken over next.   

Sweden and Finland are looking to join NATO, which could put a target on their backs and neighbouring countries have also voiced concerns about being invaded as well, according to Kyslytsia. Russia has also threatened to use nuclear, biological and chemical weapons against Ukraine.  

The war has also been devastating to Ukraine’s economy, said Kyslytsia. They are one of the world’s largest agricultural exporters including sunflower, sunflower oil, wheat, corn, barley and potatoes. However, Russian troops have blocked all Ukrainian ports, so products are being used mainly for internal consumption during the invasion.  

More than 2 million people have fled Ukraine as refugees in neighbouring countries, while others are sitting on the western border hoping the war to end soon.  

Kyslytsia said there are a number of ways people can give to help out, either through the Red Cross or Samaritan’s Purse. She also recommended giving to Ukrainian-based humanitarian efforts such as Revived Soldiers Ukraine and Voices of Children Foundation.  

Kyslytsia recently ran a fundraiser here in Moose Jaw in conjunction with Whiskey and Pearls Salon which raised over $2,200. She will be using the money to purchase supplies to send back home to Ukraine to help with the war effort.

You can hear Kyslytsia's interview with Discover Moose Jaw's Shawn Slaght below: