Ukrainians in Waterloo Region mark Independence Day amid ongoing war with Russia

A day of celebration was also a reminder of what some Ukrainians in Waterloo Region had to leave behind.

Ukrainians have gathered in Glasgow to mark the country's 35th Independence Day

Britain, France pledge stronger support as Ukraine marks Independence Day  Reuters

As Ukraine marks 35 years since independence from the Soviet Union, Volodymyr Zelenskyy repeats that his country will not surrender to Russian aggression.

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has entered its fifth year. The conflict has devolved into trench warfare, resembling the First World War. Both sides face immense human and financial costs in this attritional struggle. Ukraine's adaptability and Western support sustain its defenses against Russian advances.

Rory McKeown | Assistant editor (news) Published August 24, 2026 9:19am Updated August 24, 2026 9:39am To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Ukraine marked its Independence Day by targeting Vladimir Putin’s online shopping hubs. Three Ozon marketp

For 70,000 displaced Ukrainians living in Belgium, the hope of returning home remains, even as escalating Russian attacks and air-defence shortages put fresh pressure on Kyiv's European allies.