2 years since Ukraine war, this family is grateful they are in Canada. But their future is still uncertain

When Liza Smetankina and her husband Alexsandr Pavlenko reflect on the past two years, they're grateful to have had the chance to resettle in Canada and create a safe home for their children. 

But they often think about their family and friends, some of whom are still in Ukraine. 

"It's [a] really bad, scary situation," Smetankina said of the ongoing war.

"Lots of people lose houses, lose business, lose job, lose money and lots of people lose parents, sons and uncles." 

CBC News met up with the family shortly after they settled in Windsor in May 2022. Since then, Pavlenko and Smetankina have watched their children grow, and put their older daughter, Alisa, in school.

"Our kids feel very comfortable to live here," said Smetankina. 

"My smaller one was born here, so it's her home." 

Pavlenko has also recently started a new junk removal business called Ukrainian Workers. But the 38-year-old says he's also recently find out about some health issues that will eventually require him to get a kidney transplant.

Saturday marks two years since Russia invaded Ukraine. 

Since war broke out, Windsor's Ukraine National Federation branch estimates that between 400 to 500 Ukrainian newcomers have been supported in the city. 

Some of them have settled in Windsor, whereas others have gone to other parts of Canada or Europe, and some have even gone back to Ukraine, according to Windsor's Ukrainian National Federation member Carol Guimond. 

"I thought this would be over long before now," Guimond told CBC News. 

"It appeared that the Ukrainians were doing a very good job at the beginning of the war and now as it progresses, things are getting a little bit dicer." 

Guimond says she worries about housing availability for those looking for refuge in Canada, as the country deals with a shortage. She added that as the war goes on, she fears that support for Ukraine will "dry up."