War in Ukraine reunites childhood friends in Thornton, Ont.
Denys Derzhavets and Andrey Sychev met many years ago as boys in school. Neither could have known that their childhood connection would turn into a lifeline many years later.
When the Russians invaded Ukraine, Sychev texted his longtime friend asking for help.
"I text him back that was has started, and Kyiv is under bombardment," Derzhavets recalled.
Derzhavets has been living in Canada for more than two decades, and without hesitation, the Thornton man said he offered his home to his friend.
"A program opened [called] Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel," Derzhavets said. "They were able to apply and move quickly to Canada."
The Federal government introduced the Canada-Ukraine emergency travel program to support the people of Ukraine, offering Ukrainians and their family members free, extended temporary status.
The program allows them to work, study and stay in Canada for up to three years.
Sychev, his wife, their three children and their dog packed what they could into a few suitcases and left their homeland, a move Sychev said is difficult to describe.
"Because when [the] war started, all my life was changed. In fact, you feel yourself like in some bad dream."
Needing some extra mattresses, Derzhavets posted on a community page and said his phone was immediately ringing off the hook.
"Everybody is messaging, 'What can we do? What can we bring?' And people started bringing lots of different things."
Sychev said the generosity of the community was overwhelming.
"Canada peoples, who never knew about us or anything, they just give us money, gift cards, and other [things]. It's really, very good."
While life may look much different for the Sychev family, they are starting to adjust.
The children enjoy taking the school bus, and Sychev's wife started working at a local Ukrainian bakery.
"I want again, to say my very, very grateful to all Canadian people and [the] Canadian government," he said.
Sychev said above all he can't thank his childhood friend enough for taking him and his family in during a difficult time.
"We say to them, you can stay as long as required," Derzhavets said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
BREAKING London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.