canada ukraine emergency travel program

The government has received just under a million applications to the program since it began in March 2022, and has approved 616,429 of them. Over 133,000 people have arrived in Canada through the program.

Fraser said the temporary nature of the program aligns with what Ukrainians want.

"When I speak to the vast majority of Ukrainians who've arrived here, their hope is that Ukraine is going to win this war. They want to go home one day," Fraser said.

"To create a program that allows them to have temporary safe haven in Canada, while we await the circumstances on the ground becoming safe one day for people to return, has allowed us to help tens of thousands of people more than what otherwise would have been the case under a traditional refugee resettlement model."

Fraser did not say whether the government would extend the program if the war continues beyond July 15. He said it will monitor the situation.

Ukrainians in Canada welcome extension

Kseniia Chystiakova, who is from a suburb of Kyiv, applied to CUAET just days after it launched in March 2022. She now lives in Winnipeg with her husband, son and mother.

Chystiakova's father is in Germany because his application hasn't been approved yet, and Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) hasn't offered an explanation. Her mother, who did get approved, initially stayed with her husband but came to Canada last week as the March 31 deadline came closer.

But Chystiakova said she's happy about the extension because it gives her father some time to get approved.

"I want them to be near us and to see their grandchild, but still we have hope that everything will be okay," she said.

Chystiakova works at a staffing agency helping other Ukrainians find work. Her husband, who is not a Ukrainian citizen, is taking language classes and her son is enrolled in a local school.

"It's a really great opportunity for him and for his future," Chystiakova said.

"I think that we will stay here."

Fraser made the announcement at Café Ukraine in Ottawa. The community cafe provides services, including language classes, to newcomer Ukrainians and host families.

"We're only able to provide the support for Ukrainians because the government of Canada has generously opened the door for Ukrainians to come and find safe harbour here," Yaroslav Baran, Café Ukraine's co-founder, said at the announcement.

"The announcement that you've made today is a continuation of a long tradition, 130 years, of generous opening of doors by Canada to Ukrainians."

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) welcomed the government's announcement.

"Our community is also grateful to the thousands of Canadians from coast to coast to coast who have opened their hearts and their homes to Ukrainians, the volunteers who work tirelessly to welcome Ukrainians in cities and towns across Canada, and the settlement services which deliver essential programs and supports," Alexandra Chyczij, the UCC's national president, said in a media statement .

"With increased support from allies like Canada, this year can be the year that the Russian armies are driven out of Ukraine and peace returns to Europe."

Iain Reeve, associate director for immigration research at The Conference Board of Canada, said CUAET has brought new workers into Canada at a time when the country is facing a labour shortage.

"The Ukrainians come with a really wide variety of skills that can fit really well into a lot of available positions across Canada," Reeve said.

"We see the enthusiasm that a lot of communities have had to welcome people, not just for the really obvious humanitarian benefits, but also because they see the potential labour market and economic benefits of welcoming Ukrainians — even if it is only on a temporary basis."

But Reeve said the government will have to think carefully about the future of those coming in through the program.

"There's a balance to be struck between not wanting to bring a bunch of people here under very difficult circumstances and maybe rob Ukraine of exactly the people that they'll want to have back in the country to help rebuild once the conflict is hopefully over," he said.

"But at the same time, if people want to stay in Canada, maybe we want to try to give them options to do that."

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Permanent residence pathway for Ukrainians in Canada

Ukrainian nationals who are physically present in Canada, with a valid temporary residence (visitor, work permit, study permit) status may be eligible to apply for PR under a new temporary public policy if they have a family member who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. PR applications are being accepted under this new policy starting October 23, 2023. Applications will close on October 22, 2024.

Eligibility criteria for pathway for Ukrainians in Canada

The following applicants and their eligible family members may qualify to apply for permanent residence in Canada:

Category 1: Family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in Canada

To be eligible for PR under this category, you must:

• Be a Ukrainian national.
• Be the spouse, common-law partner, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling (or half-sibling) of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Be physically present in Canada both when you submit your application and when you receive PR.
• Hold valid temporary resident status (visitor, work permit, study permit) in Canada, or if your status expired less than 90 days ago, have applied to restore it.
• Have a valid passport, travel document, or supporting documents.
• Submit a signed declaration (IMM 0191) from your Canadian family member verifying your relationship to them.
• Be admissible to Canada.

Moreover, the family member who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident must be over the age of 18, live in Canada, and not have received PR under the same policy.

Category 2: Spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian national with family in Canada

To be eligible for PR under this category, you must be the spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian national.

You can only apply under this category if your spouse or common-law partner :

• Is unable to leave Ukraine, missing, dead or presumed dead.
• Is the child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling (or half-sibling) of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

The applicant must :

• Not have remarried or been in a common-law relationship with someone else since leaving Ukraine.
• Submit a signed declaration (IMM 0191) from your spouse or common-law partner’s Canadian family member explaining your relationship to them.

Moreover, your spouse or common-law partner’s family member who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident must be over the age of 18, live in Canada, and not have received PR under the same policy.

Family members of Ukrainian nationals who can be included on Canadian PR applications

If you qualify under the temporary PR policy for Ukrainians in Canada, some of your family members may be eligible to immigrate to Canada with you, provided they are not inadmissible to Canada for medical, criminal, or security reasons. Even if your eligible family members are not immigrating to Canada with you at present, you must include them on your application.

The following family members may be eligible to be included on your permanent residence application:

• Your spouse or common-law partner
• Your dependent child: A dependent child is defined as a child under the age of 22 who does not have a spouse or common-law partner OR a child over 22 years of age who cannot support themselves financially because of a physical or mental condition and who has depended on you for financial support since before they were 22.
• Your grandchild (dependent child of a dependent child)

Your family members do not need to be in Canada (only the primary applicant must be in Canada).

How to apply for PR as a Ukrainian national with family in Canada

Step 1 : check your eligibility, step 2 : apply online.

Create a Permanent Residence online application portal account , sign in, and select “Other” as the program you’re applying under.

Select the category as Ukraine Family Reunification Public Policy , if you plan to reside outside of Quebec or Ukraine Family Reunification Public Policy QC , if you plan to reside in Quebec.

Step 3 : Fill out your application

Step 4 : pay the application fees online.

This will include a processing fee and Right of Permanent Residence Fee (total $1,085 per adult individual) and biometrics fee (if required. $85 for an individual or $170 for a family).

Step 5 : Submit your application

You’ll need to digitally sign your application and attach all your supporting documents including the payment receipt before submitting the application.

Step 6 : Provide biometrics

You and your family members may need to submit your biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) at a biometric collection centre. You must do this within 30 days of receiving the biometrics request letter.

Step 6 : Wait for your PR application to be approved

Once you submit your application, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR). If you’re eligible for PR, you may be asked to submit additional documents, undergo medical exams or background checks, and provide your biometrics. If you intend to live in Quebec, your application will be referred to the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration du Québec (MIFI).

If your PR application is approved, IRCC will contact you to:

• Confirm the information on your application.
• Ask you to pay the Right of Permanent Residence Fee, if you haven’t already.
• Verify that all your documents are valid.
• Confirm your permanent residence status online.

Once your PR status is confirmed, you will receive an electronic Confirmation of Permanent Residence (e-COPR) in the PR confirmation portal. You’ll be asked to provide a photograph so that your PR card can be issued. Until you receive your PR card in the mail, your e-COPR will serve as proof of your permanent residence status in Canada.

Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET)

The Canadian government created the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) for individuals from Ukraine who wish to move to Canada temporarily. 

The CUAET is an expedited temporary residence pathway through which Ukrainians and their immediate family members (including those with a different nationality) can stay in Canada as temporary residents for up to three years. To be considered an immediate family member, you must be the spouse, common-law partner, dependent child, or dependent child of a dependent child of a Ukrainian national.

Under this program, Ukrainians who are already in Canada on study permits, work permits, or visitor visas will also be able to extend their legal status in Canada and continue working, studying, or staying in Canada temporarily. There will be no limit to the number of Ukrainian nationals who can apply through this extended pathway.

As of October 23, 2023, Ukrainians already in Canada on temporary permits may also be eligible to apply for PR if they have a close family member who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Eligibility criteria for the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel pathway

The Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel pathway is a safe, efficient way for Ukrainians to apply for temporary expedited visas. Until July 15, 2023, individuals in the below categories were eligible to apply for temporary residence in Canada under the CUAET:

You are a Ukrainian national currently outside Canada

You can apply if you have a valid Ukrainian passport or national identity document. You may still be able to qualify if you don’t possess these documents, provided a visa officer determines that you meet the requirements.

You are a family member of a Ukrainian national

You can apply if you are the spouse, common-law partner, dependent child, or dependent child of a dependent child of a Ukrainian national and are not in Canada. You must be able to prove your family relationship (with documents such as a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or a shared home address), have a valid passport, and require a visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to come to Canada. If you are from an eTA-required country, you’ll need to apply and pay for an eTA for Canada.

You are a Ukrainian national or family member with a valid visitor visa or eTA for Canada

You can travel to Canada on your existing documents and, upon arrival, extend your stay as a visitor or apply for a work or study permit without paying a fee.

You are a Ukrainian national or family member already in Canada on a work permit, study permit, or visitor visa

You must have a valid Ukrainian passport or be able to prove your family relationship with a Ukrainian national. You can apply to extend your status as a visitor or worker for up to three more years or until your passport expires. If you’re in Canada as a student, you can extend your study permit and status for the duration of your studies.

How does the CUAET work?

Under the CUAET, Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members can receive a visitor visa to come to Canada temporarily, until it is safe to return to Ukraine. You will also be given the option of applying for a fee-exempt work permit. The fee-exempt visitor visa will be: 

• Valid for 10 years or until your passport expires. 
• A multiple entry visa (you can travel in and out of Canada, with a maximum stay of three years at a time).

When you arrive in Canada, you’ll be given status as a visitor, worker (if you’ve applied for an open work permit), or student (if you’re under 18 years of age and wish to study). You can apply to extend your stay when your status in Canada is about to expire.

Ukrainian nationals and their family members who already have a valid visitor visa or eTA, or require an eTA to travel to Canada will be able to:

• Extend their stay in Canada as a visitor for up to three years or until their passport expires.
• Apply for a fee-exempt work permit on arrival.
• Apply for a fee-exempt study permit on arrival, if they are under 18 years of age.

Fees being waived under the CUAET

To make it easier for Ukrainians to travel to Canada, the government waived the following fees for Ukrainians and their family members:

• Temporary resident visa fees.
• Temporary resident permit fees.
• Fees for extension of temporary residence status (also known as visitor record).
• Study permit and study permit extension fees.
• Work permit and work permit extension fees (including for open work permits).
• Biometrics fee.

You’ll still need to pay for a medical exam if you’re required to take one to travel to Canada. In addition, visitors who require an eTA to travel to Canada will need to pay a fee to get one.

For Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are in Ukraine or have left Ukraine and are in another country on their way to Canada, the following fees are also being waived:

• Permanent resident travel document fees.
• Canadian citizenship certificate fees (including fee for replacements).
• Emergency travel document fees.
• Replacement fee for lost or stolen passports.
• Passport pick-up fees.
• Temporary Canadian passport fees.

Financial assistance under CUAET

Starting June 2, 2022, Ukrainians who have moved to Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel on a valid work permit, study permit, or temporary residence permit will be entitled to a one-time cash payment to help them settle in Canada.

Each eligible adult can receive $3,000 and children aged 17 and under will be entitled to receive $1,500. This one-time financial assistance amount will be non-taxable.

How to get a one-time cash benefit under CUAET

You may be eligible to receive financial assistance from the Canadian government if you meet all of the following criteria:

• You are already in Canada.
• You were approved under CUAET.
• You have a Canadian bank account.

To apply for financial assistance, follow the below steps:

Step 1: Open a Canadian bank account

You must have a Canadian bank account to receive your cash payment in your account through direct deposit. To open your bank account , you will require:

• Your temporary resident status document (IMM 1442), which is your visitor record, work permit, study permit, or temporary residence permit. Your IMM 1442 form should mention that you’ve been authorized under CUAET.
• Your passport.

Step 2: Apply for financial assistance

Fill out the online form to apply for financial assistance . You can submit this form for yourself and for your dependents.

You will be asked to provide your Unique Client Identifier (UCI) number and your temporary resident document number. In addition, to receive the direct deposit, you’ll also need your bank’s transit number and institution number, and your bank account number.

Make note of the confirmation number you receive. Once your application is approved, the government will make the payment to your account by direct deposit within five business days after you apply. (It may take 3-5 additional days for the funds to reach your account.)

For Ukrainians who want to move to Canada permanently under the Family Sponsorship program

Ukrainian nationals who are not currently in Canada but have immediate family members in Canada may be eligible to apply for permanent residence under the family sponsorship program .

Your family sponsorship program application will be expedited if it meets all the following criteria:

• The sponsor a Canadian citizen , permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act of Canada.
• The individual being sponsored is a Ukrainian national outside Canada.
• The application is for the sponsor’s dependent child (including adopted children), spouse, or common-law or conjugal partner. 

PR applications that have been filed by Ukrainians under other immigration streams will also be prioritized.

For Ukrainians who are already in Canada on temporary visas

Ukrainian nationals who are already in Canada as international students, temporary foreign workers, or visitors but do not meet the eligibility criteria for the PR pathway introduced in October 2023 can extend their study permit , work permit , or visitor status from within Canada on a priority basis. 

You may be eligible to extend your status if you meet one of the following criteria:

• You have a valid visitor status or have a study permit or work permit.
• You’ve applied to extend your status before it expires.
• You’re eligible to restore your status in Canada.

Extend your stay as a visitor in Canada under the CUAET

Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members who are currently in Canada with a valid temporary resident status can extend their stay as a visitor. Use the following steps to extend your stay:

• You must apply for a visitor record before your current status expires. Be sure to check your passport or visitor record to confirm how long your status is valid.
• Complete the online application . Select “Yes” when asked if your application is fee-exempt.
• In the IMM 5708, under “Details of visit to Canada”, select your purpose of visit as “Other” and write “UKRAINE 2022” in the “Other” box. This will ensure that your application is processed on priority.

Extend your stay in Canada as a student under the CUAET

Ukrainian nationals and their family members in Canada may be eligible to extend their stay in Canada as a student. To extend your status as an international student:

• Create or sign in to your IRCC account and fill out your online application .
• To qualify for the study permit processing fee exemption and priority processing, in the tuition payment section of your application, select “other” for “expenses paid” and write “UKRAINE 2022” in the description box.

Applying for a work permit under the CUAET if you’re already in Canada

To apply for a work permit under this public policy, you must:

• Have a valid visitor status in Canada on the day you apply for a work permit, have applied to extend your status before its expiry, or be eligible to restore your status.
• Create an online IRCC account or sign in to your existing account to start an application for a work permit. 
• Click “Apply to come to Canada” and on the next page, scroll down to the “I do not have a personal reference code” section. Click on “Visitor visa, study and/or work permit” and select “Work.”
• Answer “Work” for the “What would you like to do in Canada?” question.
• Select “Temporarily – more than 6 months” for the “How long are you planning to stay in Canada?” question.
• For the “What is your immigration status in Canada?” question, select “Worker”.
• Select “No, I am exempt from paying fees for the application” when asked if you’ll be paying fees or if you are fee-exempt.
• Fill out the application form after you receive your document checklist. In the section on details of intended work in Canada, select “Open Work Permit.” Enter “UKRAINE 2022” as the job title and “Ukraine 2022 public policy – open work permit” in the brief description of the duties field. Once the form is complete, you can upload your documents and submit your application.
• Meet all other standard criteria for admission into Canada, including getting a medical exam if required.

For Canadian citizens or permanent residents returning from Ukraine to Canada

The government is prioritizing the processing of new or replacement passports and travel documents for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, as well as their families, who are currently in Ukraine and wish to return to Canada.

Immediate family members of Canadian citizens and PR holders who don’t have valid passports will be provided with single-journey travel documents so they can come to Canada safely and quickly.

You can contact the government by phone at +1-613-321-4243 (collect calls will be accepted).

Contact the government if you’re impacted by the situation in Ukraine

If you’ve been impacted by the Ukraine crisis or have questions about submitting an application to come to Canada, you can contact the government directly through their web form . 

To ensure that your request is prioritized, use the “Tell us about your situation” section to describe your situation and the help you require and add the keyword UKRAINE2022 at the end of your description. You can also contact the government by phone at +1-613-321-4243 (collect calls will be accepted).

Things our lawyers want you to know

This article offers general information only and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or its affiliates.

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Final rush of Ukrainians arrive in Nova Scotia ahead of emergency visa deadline

Iryna Lichna and her sons made it to Canada just in time.

The young Ukrainian family landed in Halifax less than two weeks before the deadline to use emergency visas issued under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel program.

The program started after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and allows Ukrainians to live, work and study in Canada for up to three years. Applications closed last summer, and anyone holding a visa has to use it by Mar. 31.

As the deadline looms, Nova Scotia is experiencing a final spike in arrivals, including Lichna and her two boys, 10-year-old Samir and seven-year-old Saleem.

Difficult decision

They were approved under the emergency visa program a year ago, but Lichna said moving to Canada was only a backup plan at that time.

The single mother said a friend reminded her last month that the visa deadline was approaching and encouraged her to take the opportunity.

"Really, it was a difficult decision because I didn't have so much [money] saved, and I just took my kids' backpacks … and we came."

Since the war broke out, Lichna and her boys spent nearly two years living in Turkey, but she said they were only surviving there. She worked long hours for little pay and struggled to learn the language and culture.

Lichna moved her family back to Ukraine at the start of this year. She thought they would be safe in Chernivtsi, a city in western Ukraine, because of its distance from the front lines, but they still heard air raid sirens most days.

She realized, she said, "there is no safe place in Ukraine."

She was worried about being conscripted into military service because she's a doctor. She believes her boys would eventually be sent to fight if the war continued long enough.

"I don't want to tell the people who lost [their] lives it is for nothing. But this, the payment of protection of our land, is very high, high price. And I'm not ready to pay this by [the] lives of my kids."

Now she is one of more than 4,600 Ukrainians to have come to Nova Scotia in the past two years.

Ukrainians approved for Canada's emergency visa can go anywhere in the country and do not have to advise Ottawa or the provinces if or when they plan to arrive, so it's not possible to know how many more will come before Mar. 31.

But aid organizations have been feeling the final rush of new arrivals. They're preparing for it to continue this week.

"We've seen larger numbers come out of uncertainty of what's going to happen in Ukraine, because they can always go back, I guess, if things get better. But after Mar. 31, it would be difficult for them to come," said Rick Langille, founder of The Ukrainian Store. 

Two years ago, The Ukrainian Store started as a donation centre in Dartmouth, N.S., collecting and distributing furniture to newly arrived Ukrainians. 

Langille said it's grown into a community hub for Ukrainians.

"They share information, they help each other find work, they help each other find housing, they help each other get drivers licenses, and they also have a lot in common … There's a bonding and a friendship aspect of it as well."

Langille said he expects donations to be in demand for at least a few more months as Ukrainians continue to get settled, but he expects the non–profit organization will keep operating even longer, shifting its focus to social support.

War still raging

Social support is a crucial part of Ukrainian settlement, said Lyubov Zhyznomirska, because many Ukrainians have fled to Canada without knowing anyone here.

Zhyznomirska is vice-president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress' Nova Scotia branch. 

She said it's important to note that although Canada's visa program is ending, the war in Ukraine is still raging.

"Ukrainians live with war every day and they continue to live with a war. So when we think about the number of arrivals, it's people who are escaping the war and instability and conflict in their country," said Zhyznomirska.

Lichna said she's worried the war will continue for years, so she's hoping to stay in Canada long term. Some days, she said the weight of building a new life is overwhelming, but she is trying to remain hopeful.

"When the war started, all my ambitions [were] destroyed," she said. "But still my spirit is not broken, and I'm ready to start from the beginning."

Why Ukrainian newcomers are not refugees and why that matters

Program bringing ukrainians to canada is confusing to some, lauded by others.

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This month the New Brunswick government chartered a plane to bring in 170 Ukrainians fleeing the war.

At the airport, the tearful reunions and welcoming hugs looked the same, but despite having travelled to find safety, these newcomers in Canada are not considered refugees.

In March, the federal government created a special program that fast tracks immigration for Ukrainians. The resulting program, called the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel, is different from any other program to date.

People coming in through this program are considered temporary residents. This means they can work and study in Canada for three years. However, unlike refugees, they don't have permanent residency when they land, they don't get social assistance in some provinces, would have to pay international students fees if they want to go to university, and at first had no settlement support.

Moncef Lakouas, president of the Multicultural Council of New Brunswick, said the government's decision to do it this way confuses him. He said the barriers that come with being a temporary resident could make settling more difficult. 

"I ask that question every single day … What's the difference between what's happening in Ukraine versus Syria and Afghanistan? Well, they're not prosecuted by their own government, but there's still a bomb that's going to fall."

The answer lies with the Ukrainian community, according to the federal immigration minister's office.

Aidan Strickland, press secretary for the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, said refugee status is permanent, and the Ukrainian community wanted a temporary solution.

If a refugee returns to their country after settling in Canada their status would be revoked, she said.

Ukrainians arriving in Canada through this program can travel freely, and after the three years, they can apply for permanent residence.

"In the conversations with the Ukrainian community, specifically the Ukrainian-Canadian Congress, they really made it clear that many of the Ukrainians coming to Canada will want to return home when it's safe to do so," she said.

"Because they really feel like that's going to be an option for them, they feel like they're going to be able to win this war and they feel that in a couple of years they'll be able to return." 

The refugee process also takes longer, she said. 

"Initiatives in Afghanistan and Syria can take years to implement," she said.

'I'm in favour of this program'

Ivan Zakharenkov, president of the Ukrainian Association of Saint John, came to Canada from Ukraine 20 years ago, and is hosting three families who have arrived through the new program this month.

He said it's inaccurate to say that all Ukrainian people in New Brunswick have the same opinion about this issue, but he personally believes the temporary arrangement works. 

"I don't think that Ukrainians, at least the ones that I've spoken to that are thinking about moving to Canada, want this 'never-come-back' situation," he said. "But they also want to have an opportunity in this country.

"I'm in favour of this program."

He said people who aren't able to work immediately, don't have English proficiency, have many children and don't have savings may need the support that comes with a refugee program. This new program is making it easier and faster for people who don't need these supports to come to Canada, he said.

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Strickland said Ukrainians applying through the expedited program don't have to meet any specific work experience, language or education targets to be approved. 

"Individuals are still subject to security screening," she said. 

Since the program was introduced, a few changes were made to address issues that come with being a temporary resident, Strickland said. The federal government created an exception allowing Ukrainian newcomers to access settlement services like language classes. 

They also at first did not receive any financial assistance, but later the program was changed to provide a one-time cheque of $3,000 for adults and $1,500 per child. People arriving on chartered flights can also get accommodations for 14 days until they find a new home.

On the provincial side, immigration department spokesperson David Kelley said the province contributes funds to settlement agencies.

"Should individuals need greater services, government is ready to consider options for assistance," he said.

Opportunities New Brunswick is also connecting newcomers with employers, he said.

Zakharenkov said 7.7 million Ukrainians have left the country and are distributed throughout Europe. Close to 200,000 of them filled out the application to get to Canada through this program.

He said if he could give any advice to Ukrainians considering coming to Canada, it's not to underestimate how big a move it is, despite it being temporary.

"A rocket landed today two blocks away from my aunt and uncle. And they're still thinking that this is going to be over in a couple of days or couple of weeks," he said.

"The decision to move to Canada is permanent, with the opportunity in the future to go back to your country any time that you want when the things are settled. I think that the immigration in this particular program allows you to do that, but you need to make a firm decision that you are establishing yourself in this new country."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hadeel Ibrahim is a reporter with CBC New Brunswick based in Saint John. She reports in English and Arabic. Email: [email protected].

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Ukraine-Russia war latest: Heavy fighting around key eastern cities; Russia 'sustaining nearly 900 casualties per day'

Heavy fighting has been reported around the eastern cities of Avdiivka and Bakhmut. Meanwhile, at least six people have been injured after a swarm of Russian drones hit central and northeastern Ukraine.

Saturday 4 May 2024 12:59, UK

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Earlier, we reported on heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine, centred in the Donetsk region (see 7.48am post). 

Now, we can bring you images from one town which has seen extensive frontline exchanges - Ocheretyne. 

Ocheretyne is about 25km from Avdiivka, and has been fiercely contested by advancing Russian forces and defending Ukrainian servicemen. 

By Sean Bell , military analyst

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron was in Kyiv this week to reiterate UK support to Ukraine.  

Meeting with President Zelenskyy, Lord Cameron detailed how the uplift in defence spending announced by Rishi Sunak last week, including £3bn multi-year funding for Ukraine and the largest ever donation of military equipment, would help ensure Ukraine has what it needs to win.  

The donation of military equipment would include the provision of precision-guided bombs, and air defence missiles and equipment for 100 mobile air defence teams to enable Ukraine to shoot down Russia's drones and missiles.

However, Lord Cameron also made an important announcement that was less widely reported - that it was up to Kyiv to decide how these weapons were to be used.  

Although the West was shocked at Russia's decision to invade Ukraine in February 2022, Ukraine is not a member of NATO and the West was reluctant to provide overt support to Ukraine for fear of precipitating a direct NATO confrontation with Russia.  

However, the UK has consistently been "forward-leaning" in providing military support to Ukraine, initially through the provision of anti-tank weapons, then main battle tanks - Challenger II - before more recently providing long-range Storm Shadow missiles.  

Although the US has also provided ATACMS missiles, it has consistently advised that Ukraine is not to use any Western-provided weapons to attack targets on Russian soil.

Lord Cameron's announcement that this limitation may have been lifted for UK-supplied weapons could be evidence of increasing Western concern over the current tide of the war.  

Russia's military is on the offensive on the frontline - where it is capitalising on Ukraine's current shortage of vital weapons and ammunition to push forward.  

If these tactical advances were to translate into a major Russian breakthrough later this summer, the prospects for Ukraine could be bleak.

The UK package of weapons also included precision-guided bombs - these are air-launched, have limited range, so appear to have limited utility to Ukraine, so why have they been offered?

One reason is that the UK weapons lockers are bare - supplies that Britain is prepared to offer have run dry, and although the UK government has placed the national defence industry onto a "war footing", it will still take time before sustainable and significant supplies of weapons start to flow.  

However, if Ukraine is to reverse the current Russian battlefield momentum, it needs to explore new ways to fight back. 

Permission to attack inside Russia itself should enable Ukraine to expand its target list.  

Although the Ukrainian fighters do not have the requisite clearances and capability to deliver Western precision-guided bombs, in desperate times such clearances can be secured in record time. 

But how could they be used?

The Russians have air superiority over the frontlines, and it would be both dangerous and difficult for the Ukrainian air forces to intervene decisively - even with new weapons. 

However, if the initial batch of F-16 fighters being donated by the West were to arrive early this summer, this could provide more choices for Ukraine.  

Indeed, that might include targeting Russian forces in Crimea, or conducting airstrikes against military targets - such as logistics supply lines - inside Russian territory.

Although this latest announcement might have limited direct impact on Russian momentum on the frontline, it has the potential to offer new options to Ukraine to change the tide of the war.  

And, recent history suggests that where the UK leads, other nations soon follow.

However, the "elephant in the room" is the strength of Western resolve to stop Russia's brutal invasion.  

Time is not on Ukraine's side.  

Western reticence to confront Russia is understandable - indeed, President Putin is relying on it.  

But appeasement has not proven historically to be a credible strategy.  

NATO's continuing military exercises near Russia's borders are proof that the alliance is preparing for a war with Moscow, a spokeswoman for Russia's foreign ministry has said. 

"According to their scenario, coalition's actions against Russia are being practiced using all the instruments, including hybrid and conventional weapons," Maria Zakharova said. 

"We have to admit that NATO is seriously preparing for a 'potential conflict' with us."

Named Steadfast Defender, one of NATO's biggest military drills since the Cold War allows members to practice repelling an invasion by Russian forces.

The next phase of the four-month drill takes place throughout May and will include some 90,000 NATO servicemen. 

A Russian suspected cybercrime kingpin has pleaded partially guilty to money laundering charges in the US, Russian state media is reporting. 

TASS cited Alexander Vinnik's lawyer as saying that, as a result of the plea bargain, he now expected him to get a prison term of less than 10 years.

"He pleaded guilty on a restricted number of charges," his lawyer reportedly said. 

"The culmination of the negotiations was a deal with the prosecutor's office. We expect that the prison term will be up to 10 years."

Vinnik is accused of laundering more than $4bn through the digital currency bitcoin, and was arrested in 2017 in Greece at the request of the US, although Moscow has repeatedly demanded he be returned to Russia. 

The US Department of Justice has said Vinnik "allegedly owned, operated, and administrated BTC-e, a significant cybercrime and online money laundering entity that allowed its users to trade in bitcoin with high levels of anonymity and developed a customer base heavily reliant on criminal activity". 

The maximum penalty for the charges against Vinnik is 55 years in prison.

Just under 900 Russian soldiers are killed or wounded in Ukraine every single day, the UK's Ministry of Defence has said. 

"It is likely that Russia's casualty rate will again increase over the next two months as they renew dedicated offensive operations in easter Ukraine," it said in an intelligence update.

"This follows a slight decrease in the pace of operations over the past two months since the fall of Avdiivka," it added. 

The MoD assessed that more than 465,000 Russian losses have recorded since the beginning of the war, with an average so far this year of 899 casualties per day. 

As we reported in our 7.23am and 8.24am posts, some 13 Russian drones struck central and northeastern parts of Ukraine overnight. 

We can now report that another explosion has been reported, at around 10am local time (8am UK time), according to the city of Kharkiv's mayor. 

"An explosion was heard in Kharkiv. Be careful," Igor Terekhov said. 

We've no further detail as to what caused it or if there are any casualties, but we'll stay across it. 

We've also received some more images of firefights attempting to put out the blazes caused by the drone attack overnight...  

Russia has shot down four US-made long-range missiles fired at the Crimean peninsula, the country's defence ministry reports. 

It said the missiles were Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) - the kind shipped by Washington to Ukraine in recent weeks. 

No further details were shared, and Ukraine has not commented on the claims. 

Russian officials similarly claimed on Tuesday that Ukraine had attacked Crimea with ATACMS in an attempt to pierce air defences of the peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, but that six had been shot down.

ATACMS missiles have a range up to 300km (190 miles).

Russia's defence minister is continuing public duties despite rumours that Vladimir Putin is seeking to punish him for his lack of success in Ukraine. 

Sergei Shoigu presented Gold Star medals to "servicemen who showed courage and heroism in carrying out the tasks of a special military operation", according to the ministry, referencing the war in Ukraine.

"The head of the Russian military department congratulated the servicemen, thanked them for their exemplary fulfilment of tasks and wished them further success in their military service," it added. 

The Institute for the Study of War had earlier noted a meeting on Thursday between Mr Putin and a regional governor as a potential sign that the president was seeking to undermine Mr Shoigu. 

"Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Tula oblast governor and known Wagner Group-affiliate Alexei Dyumin on 2 May, further indicating that Putin may be seeking to reduce Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu's power by balancing him with rivals," it said in a statement. 

As we reported in our 7.23am post, some 13 Russian drones struck central and northeastern parts of Ukraine overnight. 

These images, from Kharkiv, show firefighters scrambling to put out the resulting blazes. 

Heavy fighting is continuing around two key cities to the east of Ukraine. 

Kyiv's forces repelled more than 60 attacks in villages near Avdiivka and Bakhmut, Ukraine's general staff of the armed forces said in its morning update. 

The US-based thinktank the Institute for the Study of War similarly noted fierce fighting near the settlement of Chasiv Yar, which lies to Bakhmut's west. 

A top Ukrainian commander told The Times yesterday that Russia has a 10-to-1 artillery advantage over Ukrainian forces defending the area and holds "total air superiority".

A senior Ukrainian intelligence chief said it's "probably a matter of time" before the settlement falls. 

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