As part of our grant project “Ukrainian youth is changing the world”, we tell stories about the achievements and active participation of young Ukrainians from different social backgrounds, educations, beliefs, and lifestyles. Among our heroes there are journalists, volunteers, refugees, young soldiers, members of NGOs, founders of voluntary foundations and movements. They are making every effort on various fronts to contribute to the victory of our country in the struggle against the Russian occupiers. In general, these are the young people who, by virtue of their work, their vision, and their principles of life, are agents of positive change in this world, who, in one way or another, improve it. We are very pleased that Evgenia Rudkivska, a Ukrainian journalist studying at the University of Milan Languages and Communications in Italy, has responded to this call to share her story. In her spare time, she is an active volunteer. She participates in various events in support of Ukraine.
On 24 February 2022, when Russia’s full-scale invasion began, where were you? What were you thinking and feeling at the time?
On the 24th of February 2022, I was at home. I woke up to my sister breathing heavily, hearing the explosions and scrolling through the news feed. I think my first emotions were panic and, of course, a little bit of despair. A few days later I went to the Vinnytsia region (where I come from). I stayed there for a long time.
On your activities in the first days and weeks of the full-scale war
In the first days I translated news into Italian to spread information among foreigners. At a local school in Khmilnyk I also wove camouflage nets. Almost immediately (in the first weeks of the Great War), I was contacted by the then editor of the Heroes of Freedom project (which was just starting) and offered to help them produce articles. The task was to produce material about Ukrainian war heroes (both dead and alive) and post it on the project’s Facebook page. This was what was needed at the time, as it motivated readers to help and demonstrated the cohesion and courage of ordinary Ukrainians. The project was like a diary. Every day, there was a new story that touched the heart of everyone.
In the face of all the events that were changing so rapidly every day, how did your friends and peers react? What topics did you discuss most often, what did you talk about with your peers in the first months of the war? What did you plan, think and imagine back then?
There were no plans or visions. Everyone was watching the rapid developments and hoping it would all end soon. We actively discussed the news with friends and colleagues. But any attempt to ‘predict’ the future was a failure. In video calls with friends, we also talked about where we were each day. We all shared our experiences, feelings and fears.
On volunteer movements in the city or university where you were a student at the time
I was studying for my bachelor’s degree at the Institute of International Relations at Taras Shevchenko National University in Kiev at the time of the full-scale war. There were many initiatives there, including meetings for military students or other events. I honestly don’t have a very good memory of them now.
What work do you devote most of your time to these days?
Tell us a little bit more about this project “Heroes of Freedom” that you are working on at the moment. What are the most important issues you deal with in your work today? What is the most memorable thing you have done since the beginning of the war?
What heroes and people have you had the opportunity to work with? What stories do you remember?
As I said, the Heroes of Freedom project is a kind of diary. It’s about ordinary Ukrainians doing extraordinary things. Our heroes are not only those who serve in the military, the Emergency Medical Service and those volunteering to help. To give just a few examples: There is a man who played the Ukrainian national anthem on his violin during the shelling, or one of my heroines, a grandmother from the village of Horenka, who covered her dog’s ears so that it would not be frightened by the bombing. Or I told the story of Maksym, the head of the Universytet station. Hundreds of people came to his station every night in the early days. Thanks to him and his staff, there was an atmosphere of real human warmth. I remember every story I worked on, and each one is now a part of me. I especially appreciate the emotional component of each story, as well as when the hero shares his own feelings while talking about his work. The most difficult thing was to make materials about the deceased. After all, they will be read by the relatives of the heroes. For example, I made a story about the TV presenter and actor Pasha Li, who died in Irpin. But I remember my very first heroine of the project the most. Yulia Zdanovska was a girl who embodied the intellectual colour of the nation (she passed the External Independent Testing with 200 points in mathematics, won many competitions even outside Ukraine, and became a teacher in a village for the Teach for Ukraine project). She died in Kharkiv. A rocket hit the volunteer centre. Her last message on Telegram was as follows: “I’m staying in Kharkiv until victory.” All my heroes were representatives of different professions and activities, but nevertheless each of them in one way or another brings victory closer. And it is important that these people are known more broadly. Documenting and telling these stories is important. They are inspiring.
Do you take part in any rallies or events abroad in support of Ukraine? If so, could you please describe them?
Yes, I do. I’m currently studying for a Master’s degree at the University of Languages and Communication in Milan. And I have been attending the rally of the Ukrainian Community of Milan, UaMi, every evening since September (the beginning of my studies and until the end of the academic year). This is probably the only rally in Europe that takes place every night, if I’m not mistaken. At the beginning and at the end of the rally, the anthem is always played, and every night there are 5 to 7 speakers, and I am one of them. In English or Italian we address the passers-by. We gather in the main square of the city (Piazza Duomo). On “good” days (Friday and Saturday evenings) we manage to gather quite a crowd. Sometimes caring foreigners come up and give us money in cash. Sometimes we get negative feedback (to put it mildly). But that is not the most important thing. The important thing is that we stand every night. Even in the heaviest rain we stood under umbrellas. First, we are appealing to people’s indifference, so that they can join us and express their support and position. In addition, one of our tasks is to raise awareness among foreigners. So every evening we put up freshly printed posters with the war crimes of the Russian Federation and the horrors that the terrorist country is committing on our land. But the central poster is always a QR code for donations. The Ukrainian Community Organisers are also actively working to expand what’s going on. In addition to the rallies, they help to organise concerts by Ukrainian artists in Milan and collect donations. It is also worth noting that almost half of the active protesters at our rally are Italians. The same concerned Italians, who have Ukraine in their hearts, have downloaded Duolingo to learn our beautiful language and wear badges with the words “Russian warship, go away…”.
The hero of my recent interview (not yet published) was Lorenzo Ceva Valla, a photographer who has been taking pictures of the rally every night for over a year. He has seen a lot of pain and tears shed by the organisers. But he also has a unique talent for making sure that no two photos taken in the same place are ever the same. Perhaps it’s because he knows that pain. His grandfather was a hero of Italy. He was a partisan who committed suicide to save his comrades by not giving up information.
I also took part in reports by Italian journalists. They took comments from Ukrainian youth on the direction of work for the future victory. I also took part in a report on Easter, which many Ukrainians did not celebrate with their families because of the war.
Do you have friends or acquaintances who participate in such pro-Ukrainian events with you? Maybe they collect money for our soldiers, organize volunteer movements, centres, etc.?
Yes, they are all members of the Ukrainian community in Milan, Italy.
In your free time, what do you do?
I learn more about the world of Ukrainian literature, discover new interesting works of literature for myself. I also spend time with my friends. I play board games and do sports.
In the current context of war, what role do you think Ukrainian youth can play? In this long and exhausting struggle against the aggressor, what actions or contributions do you think each of us, young Ukrainians, can and should make?
Young people are crucial in fighting and winning. After all, after the victory, it is our task to preserve what we have won with blood and sweat and to build a new country. And it’s not just about physical reconstruction and development. This is going to involve working in the cultural and various intellectual fields. Each of us, I hope, is already on the way to complete separation from Russian culture (and, God forbid, music). Each of us can already start looking after our own yard (keeping it clean), looking after our neighbors.
Everyone can volunteer occasionally. Everyone can donate a little every day. There are millions of ways to get involved. But the most important thing is to realise that it will not be easy, but we have a chance to be the change and build a strong state. We can’t leave the responsibility for the future to the older generations. After all, we are going to have to live in the country we’re going to rebuild.
Do you have any acquaintances, perhaps friends, people you look up to or consider role models? Maybe they are active volunteers or members of the military who are helping our country and our people in some way?
Yes, these are all the volunteer projects I follow on Instagram. For example, “Behind Blue Eyes”. The founders of this project show the war through the eyes of the children. They give gifts to children from reoccupied villages and give them a film camera. The children take pictures of the area and their lives. I am also inspired by one of the characters I wrote about in the project, Natalia Leliukh. A gynaecologist in her civilian life, she now travels with Tata Kepler to reoccupied villages and frontline areas to provide medical care where ambulances cannot reach.
In a few words or sentences, describe how you see our victory and what kind of Ukraine you hope to see after the war.
Deep down, I am always optimistic. But unfortunately, I understand that after victory we will have to deal with many psychologically traumatised citizens. Therefore, in order to cope with the problems that will arise (including economic ones), we will need patience and perseverance.
However.
I believe that Ukraine will be known not only for the war, but also for the development of freedoms, digitalisation and technology.
I believe in the boom of the Ukrainian book market, Ukrainian-language content on YouTube, and Ukrainian music that will regularly top the charts.
I believe that young people will want to be part of the reconstruction process. Together we will bring about qualitative changes.
I believe in the development of civil society.
I have faith in the building of a strong Ukrainian brand on the world stage.
I have faith in qualitative changes in state building.
No matter what obstacles may come our way, I believe we will succeed.
Translator: Ivan Chepaykin
