Karina Kozlova, photo from personal archive
My name is Karina Kozlova, I`m 23 years old. I graduated from the Taurida National V.I. Vernadsky University with distinction. I got a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. My husband and I live in Lithuania, the city of Vilnius.
I love writing, creating and motivating myself and people around me. I believe in miracles. I hope for peace. I want to work where I can create something new, because I love embroidering and writing fairy tales. Maybe somewhere I can combine my hobbies.
Can you remember where you were on February 24, 2022?
I was in Vilnius on February 24, because on February 26 I was to marry a Lithuanian, my beloved husband. When I woke up at six in the morning and saw the news about the attack on Ukraine, I wasn’t surprised, because I`d been ready for it since November. I knew it would happen someday, but no one believed me. I was scared of what might happen, but I also understood that I had to pull myself together and think logically. I immediately called my parents, who, unlike me, were completely unprepared for this and were not only scared, but also surprised. I tried to explain to them that it was necessary to escape, but none of them wanted to flee because of traffic jams, and they didn’t want to leave their homes. Everyone hoped that it will end quickly.
I cannot say that I`ve changed after February 24. I just began seeing some things a little differently, but, in general, I remained the person I was. It’s just that I already know what it’s like to live with the fear that your home and loved ones may disappear literally in a minute.
We know that the media wrote a lot about a possible war long before it started. Did you foresee something like this for yourself?
As I said above, I knew that there will be a war. I was afraid of the reaction of all the people who didn’t believe in it. I wrote a letter to my future husband, and there were the following lines: “I`m afraid that I`ll have to run to the bomb shelter. I’m afraid we’ll be sleeping while the sirens go off. I’m afraid that a rocket will fly into our house.” That’s what I was thinking about, but no one believed. I was the only one who was so scared and anxious. When everything started, I wasn’t scared anymore. I was already ready.
How was your hometown affected by the Russian invasion and what is the situation there now?
I’m from Kyiv, but my hometown wasn’t affected like Kherson, Bucha, Mariupol, etc. However, Kyiv also suffered great destruction. And first of all, now, when there is no light for more than 15 hours, the water can be turned off at any time, it really affects the psyche of my relatives. They`re afraid of a blackout and are very afraid of having to leave their home. In general, the people of my city suffered the most, especially morally, but also a lot of people passed away.
What do you most associate with this war?
I remember Azovstal in Mariupol, Bucha, the destruction of electricity in Ukraine, Bakhmut and Kherson.
300 days have already passed since the beginning of the war.What emotions overwhelm you during all this time when you watch and read the news? What do you think about when you discuss this topic with others?
I try not to watch the news as much as I did at the beginning of the war. Because it makes me angry, cry, nervous, and anxious about the future. That’s why I try to watch the news in Kyiv to know what’s going on with my parents and that’s all. The rest of the information my parents or friends tell me. When I talk about war with others, I try to avoid very emotional conversations, and in general, I`m very afraid of the topic. It causes panic attacks and makes me anxious. I want to live, work, somehow continue life, so now I’m trying to somehow abstract myself and scroll through the news as little as possible.
Karina, photo from personal archive
Do you consider all Russians involved in crimes against Ukrainians?
No, I don’t think so. In my opinion, not all Russians can be considered as aggressors. They were just living their normal lives, just like we were living when we were attacked. They didn’t pick up machine guns, didn’t throw bombs. They were asleep at the time of the attack, so were we. I believe that the fault lies with the authorities of the Russian Federation, because they started this. Any conflict can be resolved peacefully. And the authorities of the Russian Federation chose the option of violence. I consider those who support the Russian government to be somewhat guilty. But still, the greatest fault lies with the authorities of the Russian Federation.
What is the situation in Lithuania with Ukrainian refugees, from what you have been able to see, do you like the country’s policy towards our citizens?
There are a lot of Ukrainians in Lithuania, they are treated well, they help everyone, there are a lot of volunteers helping Ukraine in Lithuania… It feels like Lithuanians are Ukrainians, they just communicate in a different language. 🙂
What do people in Lithuania who you communicate with say about this war? Do you follow local TV and publications? Are there things you disagree with?
Lithuanians have the same opinion about the russian federation and the war as Ukraine. Lithuania’s support is simply at the highest level. Publications and TV constantly say that this war is terrorism and the extermination of the Ukrainian nation.
How do you see our life in the new year?
I don’t know what will happen to us. What awaits us. But I know that I have to think about the best course of events. I hope that this will finally be over and there will be peace again. I hope that my relatives will live their full life peacefully. I hope my brother will go to university without worrying about not being able to study because of lack of light or heat. I want peace and pray for it.
Author: Ivan Chepaykin
Translator: Bohdana-Nikolietta Terekhina
