Krystina Tulchynska at her office in P.A. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Ukrainians in P.A.

P.A. Ukrainian newcomer vividly remembers Russia’s invasion one year later

Feb 24, 2023 | 2:55 PM

It was a day Krystina Tulchynska won’t ever forget.

Early in the morning on Feb. 24, 2022, she was woken up by explosions as Russia had officially started its invasion of Ukraine.

“I was sure it was something else… in my mind, it had to be anything else.”

The gravity of the situation didn’t truly sink in until a couple of hours later when she started getting messages from family and friends.

Tulchynska’s life forever changed exactly 73 days later as she officially arrived in Canada leaving behind her family and friends. She would eventually start her new life in Prince Albert.

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Every day since then starts the same way, checking news outlets for updates on the war.

“You’re always preparing to hear the worst things,” said Tulchynska. “It’s not the same life that I had before, that’s for sure.”

She has lost friends in the war, though her immediate family has been able to stay safe in the war-torn country. Her uncle was recently hospitalized in one of the more dangerous regions in the country, though he’s since been discharged.

While Tulchynska’s life has changed, she’s still trying to remain optimistic.

She was able to get a job at Mr. Mikes Steakhouse pretty soon after arriving. She still works there part-time. Over the last couple of months, she’s been working for the YWCA helping newcomers get situated in the community.

Despite everything going on in her personal life, it’s hard not to find her smiling.

“I feel like I’m finally in my place. I can tell that this is the first time in my life that I feel myself,” she said. “I can help people… it feels great to feel useful.”

This new job has also allowed her to send some money each month back to her family. She believes she probably wouldn’t be able to do this if she had stayed in Ukraine.

If you asked Tulchynska if she believed this is what her life would be after hearing those first explosions exactly one year earlier, you’d most likely get a chuckle in response.

“I often think about it,” she laughed. “If somebody a year or maybe a year and a half ago would tell me that I’d be in Canada in Prince Albert speaking English more, of course, I wouldn’t (believe it).”

When asked if she was happy to be in Canada, despite the circumstances that led her here, she gave a pretty short answer.

“I’m glad that I’m here.”

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow