After three years of Russian occupation, the Ukrainian Community of Woodstock remembers with rally in the Friendly City

Participants of the Ukrainian Community of Woodstock’s car rally on Feb. 22 gather in front of Bethany Lutheran Church. The rally was to commemorate the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which was on Feb. 24. (Contributed Photo)

Connor Luczka, Echo Correspondent

On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of eastern Ukraine, marking the beginning of a war that has altered the state of Europe and the world.

On Feb. 22, 2025, to commemorate the third anniversary of the war, residents across Woodstock adorned their cars with the blue and yellow Ukrainian flag, proudly displaying them as they took to the streets.

The car rally was organized by the Ukrainian Community of Woodstock (UCW). In written correspondence, Yevhen Koshulko, UCW president, said about 20 cars joined the rally that Saturday and travelled the breadth of Woodstock.

“Everyone who joined the rally tried to convey to everyone who watched it that the war in Ukraine is ongoing and the whole world must help stop the enemy, the Russian Federation,” Koshulko said. “When the convoy of cars drove through the streets of Woodstock, many people reacted positively to it, which made us understand that they support us too. This is very nice. Because every time we hold any event in support of Ukraine, we aim to draw attention to the great grief that exists in Ukraine.”

He added the war has taken many Ukrainian lives, destroyed cities, many children have been orphaned, and this can go on and on.

The UCW was organized in February 2024, after which it became a member of the Ontario Provincial Council of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. The Saturday rally was the second hosted by the UCW. In 2024, it marked the second anniversary with its first car rally. Additionally, it has hosted a number of events, such as a presentation on child abduction and celebrations for Vyshyvanka Day (an international celebration honouring the embroidered clothing of the same name).

Koshulko is originally from the Poltava region, in the central part of Ukraine. In June 2022, he came to Canada with his wife and daughter. He said that Canada has done a lot for Ukrainians in the country and abroad, thanking Canadians for their continued support.

Just recently, news regarding accelerated peace talks between Russia and the U.S. broke, though the negotiations drew heavy criticism across the world due to the lack of Ukraine being at the table – something Koshulko reiterated.

“Peace negotiations are important, but on Ukraine's terms. Peace must be fair. That is, the most important thing is security guarantees for Ukraine in the future. Otherwise, after the ceasefire, there may be another attempt by the Russian Federation to seize Ukraine, but with more powerful pressure.”

Still, Koshulko remains hopeful.

“We believe that the whole world will be able to unite and stop the enemy.”