Ukrainian refugees break into song at North Bay mall

With one voice in the middle of Northgate Shopping Centre in North Bay, a group of Ukrainian refugees surprised mall-goers by breaking into song to pay their respects of the war in Ukraine.

Ukrainian refugees and members of the North Bay community sung ‘Oh There Is A Red Viburnum In The Meadow’ commemorate the year-long conflict between Russia and Ukraine. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Written in the early days of WWI, the group bellowed the lyrics to ‘Oh There Is A Red Viburnum In The Meadow.’ This traditional Ukrainian song symbolizes strength and resistance.

"This song is like an emblem of Ukrainians in the war for resistance and for all free Ukrainians," said refugee and singer Andrii Bieliaiev.

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The group, who carried Ukraine flags and dressed in blue and yellow, wanted to sing to pay respect to fellow Ukrainians who have fallen in the attack on their country and also commemorate the war's one year anniversary.

"I'm still upset and I really can't understand how this could happen," said Dmytro Korotkyah, another refugee and singer, at the event.

The song was popular during the liberation war for the independence of Ukraine in 1918 and regained popularity in the first few days of the Russian invasion.

"The biggest hope for Ukrainians and for all free people is that this is the first and last anniversary of this war," said Bieliaiev.

Bieliaiev was forced to leave his hometown of Mariupol. His 5-year-old niece was killed by a Russian bomb. His father-in-law is still there and he worries for him. His home was also destroyed.

Since the attack began, the United Nations has confirmed over 8,000 civilians have perished, but verification of thousands more is not possible in occupied territories. 13,000 have been injured.

It's estimated between 40,000 and 60,000 Russian soldiers have died according to the U.K.'s Ministry of Defence.

As of August, Ukrainian Armed Forces commander-in-chief General Valerii Zaluzhnyi estimated 9,000 Ukrainian soldiers had died.

Around 18 per cent of Ukraine is controlled by Russian forces, according to the Institute for the Study of War, down from 27 per cent in March last year.

"It's already been a year and I don't know if it's going to end," said Yelyzaveta Zaitseva as the singer reflected on this last as a Ukrainian refugee.

"My family is there and I'm really nervous for them. I was crying because they're hearing shots."

Reflecting on the one-year anniversary of war in Ukraine has been tough for these refugees. Some left long before the attack, others during it. They were forced to leave family, friends and their homes behind and continue to worry for their safety.

"A month ago, a huge missile hit a multi- level residential building in the city I was born," said Korotkyah.

With no end in sight, the Ukrainian refugees at the event told CTV News it is the hope for a ceasefire that helps them get by each day.

A young boy in North Bay sings with refugees and other community members to denounce the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)