Can you please remember where you were on February 24, 2022, how did you experience the events of that terrible day?
On February 24, at 5 in the morning, I woke up when my mother called me. I was in Kyiv and immediately understood that something was wrong. With a frightened voice, mother said: “Daughter, don’t worry, but we are being bombed by Russia.” I didn’t believe it at once, I thought I was still asleep. I opened the window and heard bangings. Dad immediately left to pick me up. Usually it takes 2 hours from Kyiv to my hometown Zhashkov, but that day we drove for 6 hours. To say that people were in a panic is an understatement…I felt like I was in the apocalypse. We didn’t realize then that this was only the beginning of the кussian peace…
On the 14th day of the war, my family made the difficult decision to leave the country. My mother, sister and I were in Poland for 2 months, and my father was at home. He joined the Territorial Defense Forces. It was very difficult abroad, I really wanted to go home. I felt complete apathy and ignorance of how to live on. We couldn’t hold on like this for a long time, so when the Armed Forces drove the enemy out of our region, we decided to return home. And I will say that it was the best decision. At home even the walls help you.
Many Western media wrote about the high probability, even the inevitability of such a large invasion before the start of the war. It was featured much more gently in our country, if we can say so, it wasn`t said that such a thing could start tomorrow. Did you believe in the inevitability of such a war, or did it come as a complete shock?
Frankly speaking, I didn’t believe that Russia would attack, that is why I didn’t have an emergency bag and my family wasn’t going to flee abroad. And it was in vain that we didn’t believe that this “brotherly people” could attack. I can’t imagine how in 2022, when the world has made such great progress in everything, it’s possible to solve some political issues with rockets. Here I have only one answer: to solve an international conflict politically, you need to be a politician. Where are the politicians in Russia? There is only propaganda. I don’t have a political education, I cannot do any analysis. On the one hand, I understand why our media didn’t inform us, didn’t say directly that the war will start, but on the other hand, was it right? Honestly, I don’t have an answer.
How did the events unfold in your area, were there any attacks, were there strikes, especially at the beginning of the war? And what is the situation in your city now?
On the first day of the war, a military unit was hit in my city. Then, thanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and God, it was safe (well, if you can say that at all). That is why my city actively accepted displaced persons, and volunteer groups, charity events were organized. I personally participated in the weaving of camouflage nets, trench candles, performed at charity concerts and donated. Immediately, the residents of Zhashkov felt that we were one family, everyone became very consolidated. Now there are no missile attacks, but there are air alarms. Many families from the temporarily occupied territories settled in the city. Everyone is trying to help the Armed Forces, doing whatever they can. It pleases.
How do your relatives and friends experience these events? How often do you talk about war at the family table? At the beginning, everyone was talking about it, but even now there are massive strikes throughout Ukraine, similar to those at the beginning of the war.
We talk about war very often. Usually over lunch or dinner we watch the news and discuss the situation. My family, friends, I, we all sympathize with the victims and get upset by the disappointing news, but we sincerely believe in the army and every Ukrainian.
How has your life and education changed with the start of massive rocket attacks on our energy infrastructure since October of this year? How do such terrorist attacks affect your daily life today?
Since October, it has become more difficult to work. My work is completely online, and I need a stable electric supply. Sometimes there are problems with connection and the Internet, but I react to it calmly. No matter how much I`d like to, I cannot change the situation, but I can adapt and continue working. Our soldiers are constantly in the cold; they’re hungry… Therefore, we have no other choice but to find ways to live, work and study in order to support the economic and educational systems of Ukraine.
How did your attitude towards Russia and its citizens change after February 24? Do you consider the Russians responsible for this aggression?
My attitude towards russia changed in 2013, since the Maidan. From the time of February 24, it is total hatred and the understanding that this is a nation of slaves. Everyone in russia is responsible for what is happening. Everyone could do their part to stop this war. But the russians will rather remain silent and bow their heads to putin. I don’t think anything can be changed in this country.
What, in your opinion, should be the retribution of the Russian aggressor for all the atrocities and crimes committed against the citizens of Ukraine, for Bucha and Mariupol, Irpin and Borodyanka, Kherson region, Kharkiv region and many other cities and towns that have not yet become known to the general audience?
I believe that all criminals should be punished according to the laws and regulations of the International Criminal Court. I think that the judges will give the most severe sentence to all the culprits. In fact, half of the citizens of Russia should be arrested, if not more. I would learn what the russian federation is, how this federation was formed historically, and give all federations the opportunity to create separate countries. Then only Moscow would remain, which after all that has been done has no right to exist.
In the context of huge humanitarian and infrastructural problems, it seems like the world is observing how Ukraine is being destroyed every day, left without the basic benefits of civilization: electricity, heating, water. We are simply suffering huge losses, and such strikes have a very negative effect on people’s work and education, while the Western world is rather debating whether to provide some anti-aircraft weapons or other weapons there, instead of immediately providing them without thinking. Do you share the opinion that Western leaders should do much more to ensure security and a peaceful sky over Ukraine?
It is also interesting to know whether your attitude towards the world, towards Ukraine and Ukrainians has changed? Did the vision of some things change during this period of the war? I think that such defining moments, which we are now contemplating, can influence our vision of the world in a certain way.
Now I am convinced that I adore Ukraine. I want to live and work here, I want to rebuild the country after the war, participate in the matters of power and politics, I want to participate in the creation of a new Ukraine. After the war, Ukraine will no longer be a young country. It will be a powerful state with an indomitable people. If before the war the heroes were in movies and books, now the heroes are all Ukrainians, and the Armed Forces are generally equated with gods. I am grateful to the West for all the support it provides. Of course, this support could be much greater, but not everything is as simple in politics as it seems at first glance. Therefore, I would leave thoughts about how much the West helps to political analysts.
Do you have a goal that you want to achieve for yourself in the next six months or a year? What do you expect from yourself?
I expect maximum development from myself in the near future. During and after the war, Ukraine needs healthy, active and educated youth. This is what I do: I study and work with all my might. In particular, my work is part of the information front. OmTV UA is a channel that shows the whole truth about Russia and the latest news.
Let’s think about the future. Imagine that you wake up tomorrow morning and read in the news that the war has finally come to an end, that all Russian troops have left the territory of Ukraine and will never dare to come here again. No more horrible sirens. What thoughts and emotions do you have? What would you like to do most on such a day?
If I woke up and saw the news about the victory, I would not be able to hold back tears. I am so looking forward to this day. First of all, I will say THANK YOU to everyone involved in this victory, every soldier, volunteer, everyone who survived abuse from the aggressor. And of course, I really want to hug everyone who needs support. I believe that day will come within the next year. I am sure that the civic consciousness of Ukrainians has already survived the coup. We have all become patriots (we were them, but not comparable to how patriotic we are now), we love our country so much that we’ll make it the best country in the world. Glory to Ukraine!
Translator: Bohdana-Nikolietta Terekhina
