Stag Special

Earlier this month, Defence Minister Anita Anand concluded a productive visit to Ukraine.
Anand began her day visiting an exhibit of destroyed Russian equipment in St. Michael’s Square in Kyiv. There, she saw first-hand evidence of the success Ukraine’s Armed Forces are having in pushing back Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion. Alongside Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Anand laid flowers at the Wall of the Remembrance for the Fallen.
She also visited Irpin — a suburb of Kyiv which Russia occupied at the beginning of its further invasion of Ukraine. Anand saw civilian homes and infrastructure destroyed by Russia’s war, including dozens of destroyed cars which once belonged to ordinary families and which were left behind in the evacuation. She reiterated Canada’s strong condemnation of Russia’s barbaric and indiscriminate killings.
“During my visit to Kyiv today, I reaffirmed that Canada’s support to Ukraine will continue for as long as it takes. What happens here in Ukraine will determine the future of the international rules that protect us all, and therefore, the kind of world in which our kids will grow up,” said Anand. “I salute the incredible resilience and bravery of the Ukrainian people, and I am confident in saying that Ukraine will win and continue to liberate its territory from Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion.”
She also met with Ukraine Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov for a lengthy and productive meeting, where they discussed the state of the conflict, and how Canada can continue to be most helpful. Alongside Reznikov, she announced Canada will donate 200 Roshel Senator Armoured Personnel Carriers, valued at more than $90-million dollars.
This is part of the more than $1-billion in military assistance which Canada has committed since February 2022, and more than $5-billion Canada has committed in combined military, financial, humanitarian and other aid.
Canada’s military assistance includes 39 armoured combat support vehicles, a combination of eight commercial pattern armoured vehicles and Senator APCs, anti-tank weapons, small arms, M777 Howitzers and associated ammunition, and more, which are making a difference in Ukraine’s efforts to defend its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
Anand also met with members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces trained by Canadian soldiers under Op UNIFIER and visited a hospital where she met with wounded Ukrainian soldiers.
On this productive visit, she reiterated to Defence Minister Reznikov, Ukrainian Armed Forces members, and ordinary Ukrainians, Canada will continue to support Ukraine in its fight to defend itself, and Canada’s support to Ukraine will remain unwavering.