Viktor, when I read your posts, I “listen” with my whole heart. I keep you in my prayers. If writing is a form of shelter, a form of survival, keep going. Your many readers are waiting to hear you, with open hearts.
Dear Alia, your words remind me the reason I'm here sharing these feelings with you and the world. I also listen your message with all my heart, and thank you, likewise, with all this heart here 💙💛
Viktor, I am always available to you. If you need a friend to write to, please feel free to message me through Substack. I will do all I can to support you and truly hear you, my friend.
We all support you and all the people of Ukraine, Viktor, your well-being is so very important to us.I just became a Paid Subscriber. It's my small way of surrounding you with love and support though this darkest time. Blessings to you and All of Ukraine 🙏🇺🇦💔
Viktor, whatever you did before all this incredible vicious nightmare started, you are definitely a writer now, and our lifeline to what's -- not news, really -- but what's /going on/ over there: with you, with your friends, your neighbors, with as many folks as you can keep in touch with.
You do matter, love. Very much. :)
I've been to Europe before: 15 countries in 31 days, quite the blistering pace, with a "college-student package deal" company. I got to see Yugoslavia while it still existed, but none of the Soviet "republics" were available at the time for that tour, so I didn't get the chance to visit Ukraine. I wish I had; the photos and footage I've seen of the past look incredible, and the current images...well, may there come a time when all of us here can come over and help everyone rebuild. I saw places in Europe that had been flattened into rubble by the devastation of WWII, according to those images, and due to the efforts of their people, they were up and whole and beautiful again in a decade or so. Some cities in Germany wound up looking like nothing that devastating had happened in the centuries of their existence.
It's not so easy on the people, though; humans are more flexible than buildings, but we're never quite the same afterwards, either. Love and community and caring, hopefully, can help there.
May you all stay resilient and may we all get to meet each other in person after all this is done! Slava Ukraini! :D
I add my voice and support to all the many who,have replied here. I am convinced we will see a gradual turning of the tide which will overwhelm russia and free Ukraine! 💙💛
You are for me the voice and heart of the Ukraine. I feel such compassion for you and your country; my heart aches with the sorrow you and all of your country are experiencing daily. Stay strong.
Matthew, you expressed what I feel better than I ever could. Thank you for that, but most of all, thank you for your compassion for Viktor and the people of Ukraine.
You write beautifully and so poignantly. I have never experienced what you live through every day. Nevertheless, I hope that my voice raised in solidarity might bring you some solace.
It brings A LOT of solace, dear Dan. I would never be exaggerating if I tell you that the messages and comments you and our friends here send me are the source of my energy. The source of my motivation. And I really can't imagine me without this anymore. Thank you very very much. 💙💛
Thank you so much dear Jacqueline, if I touch you, please know that I can perfectly feel so many times you and our friends touching my hand no matter if from somewhere distant from Ukraine (but never from the heart, absolutely!) 💙💛
Our hearts are always with you Viktor, and your extraordinary president. So moving to see him applauded at Pope Frances’ funeral. Frances must have been with him too. ❤️
… we could take away your pain. Yet knowing you have to live it, and keep living through it. Sending so much love and gratitude for all you do, every day. 💖🙏🏻
You country is really doing, dear Deb, the force and the support of the people from your country is going to be studied by generations as an example of how populations are united towards a common cause. I mean the people, of course. Just look how many beautiful messages I receive everyday here! About governments, well, that's another issue... but our countries are the people who live there and here, not our governments! For all possible records, here is my declaration of love for the United States of America regardless of anything! 💙💛🇺🇦🇺🇸
Viktor, I have never been in the middle of a war like you are. But we are currently in the middle of a war for our freedom from a dictator wannabe.
So we, like you, are doing what we must to get our country back. It's not fun, it's not pretty, but it's necessary. I have no doubt you know what I'm talking about
Please continue to write and share your thoughts because holding it in is not going to do you any good and might actually make it worse for you.
I think what most of us react to is your humanness as you said before. Because most of us have no idea what it's like to be in a war like you're in. And I for one truly appreciate the connection that I feel for one human to another in undescribable circumstances. And I'm sure a lot of other people feel the same way. So thank you very much for sharing a part of your life with us.
Dear Renne, messages like yours are the reason I'm here writing. It's so easy to lose touch with my mission in the world, with my own existence to be fair. I know exactly you mean, and you just helped me reconnect with the goal I used to think when I was sharing my first words three years ago. That time, I was realizing that what I was going through and feeling, all the bombardment of feelings involved (literally) was not something regarding to me personally, or to my country itself. Someday I got myself with the idea I was not an Ukrainian going through despair, but a human being, and the fact I am in the place I was and from the place I am does not make my experiences only mine: they are human, and I could be living exactly the same thing anywhere in the world if living in a country that neighbors an evil one. And suddenly I reminded that things work like a "history lottery", I mean, Ukraine of today can be anywhere tomorrow. The same way most of places in the world were Ukraine someday in the past, mind you. So I found out that I have something universal to share, and maybe who knows, that could make a difference someday? So sorry I got a little confused here, dear friend. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, I really appreciate them.. 💙💛💙💛
You are most certainly a journalist. Your words are powerful, truthful, heartfelt. We care deeply about you and the incredible people of Ukraine. Stay safe. Stay strong. We send you all the strength we can. 💙
Really appreciate that, dear Louise. Please know I feel stronger after reading your compliments, every word I write I try to bring something meaningful for you, wherever you are, and to make everyone understand that war is not only about invasions and destruction, but also, maybe principally, about the human beings we need to be and the values we need to remember and carry. 💙💛
This touched the soul, Viktor. As a journalist, I find myself occasionally deprived of the humanity amid the reports I’m constantly reading. Your writing seizes the heart and does not let go. The world needs your words. Hope is a lifeline and this keeps it tied tight.
Dear Chloe, as a journalist you are, you touched my heart with that. I wanted to reach people's minds and hearts with culture, with depth, with knowledge, with so many studies I wanted to make along my life about the world, about psychology, about anthropology, imagine yourself... studies that I was never able to carry on for a variety of reasons, and what rested was my heart here. And my knowledge of English language, which is far from perfect, sure, but at least enough to communicate, and to be completely credited to the Ukrainian public school system and never to my personal effort (a bad student along all my life here). And I feel so glad to hear from you that I'm doing a good job, because I almost, almost, for so many times, I gave up everything of this because I was not considering myself worth the challenge of communicating something meaningful. Send you all my deepest and purest love.💙💛
My word, Viktor, you are doing incredibly well for writing in a second language! Way better than I could in Spanish, and I took three terms of that (two in high school [secondary school in Europe?], one in college)! :D
You are one of the best journalists I know. You may not be bringing the latest news but you are keeping a journal - an important record of all aspects of this terrible war, not just the statistics and strategic maneuvers. I plan to become a paid subscriber soon - after my next check comes in. Please keep going!
Dear Carol, it really flatters me to be called a journalist, I personally would like so much to know more about the world, to study history and politics more in depth, so one day to be closer to that. And about being a paid subscriber, please keep in mind that my content will be open to everyone regardless if people can offer a subscription, so will still have full access to everything in the free tier. Besides, please be sure that will not burden your budget and chose the best time for you if you plan to do so!💙💛
When my husband retired after 37 years at the same company he received over 1 million dollars in pension and profit-sharing funds. We felt like we could comfortably last on this until the end of our lives or at least the next 25 years.
Then came Trump’s first term and we lost about a third of it. Now after the tariffs and stock market crashes we don’t even want to look at our next statement. And we are not alone. Many Americans and others have lost hard earned money and retirement savings while our supposed leaders profited from insider trading and crypto schemes.
But we are way better off than many who have little or nothing: the homeless, the jobless, the immigrants, the poor, people in prison and detention, victims of war and famine.
We have a roof over our heads, sufficient food and clean water, clothing, books and so much more, for which I am truly grateful. Although our future does not look bright financially, we will survive. We have the love of one another as well as that of family and friends which is what really matters.
I personally have one small and one large pension from my work for universities and libraries. I use the large one necessarily to pay bills and expenses but I use the small one for causes in which I believe. I feel blessed that I am able to give what little I can.
I am 75 and was so happy and relaxed during President Biden’s administration after the horrible experience of Trump’s first term. I couldn’t believe he was reelected (if he actually was and it wasn’t a result of Elon Musk being “so good with voting machines”). It has been worse, way worse than his first term. I wake every day thinking “what fresh hell has he created for us today?”
At first I was upset I had lived so long as to see him regain office and perhaps stay there indefinitely but now I am determined to live to see him go down. My mother and my two grandmothers all lived well into their 90’s so I expect to outlive Trump and his regime. My only hope is that he will go down or be taken down before it is too late for Ukraine and so many others his actions are hurting.
I was devastated that he and his cronies pulled support from Ukraine while sending billions to Israel, thus supporting genocide in Gaza. I cried when Israel was attacked by Hamas but abhor the level of retaliation by them against Palestinian innocent civilians.
It is so odd to me that Israel and the U. S. are the ones behaving like Nazis when the Jews and others were their victims and the U. S. and their Allies fought them, losing countless lives. My father, a WWII combat pilot and POW of the Germans is rolling in his grave.
Likewise I abhor Trump’s cozying up to Putin claiming he is close to making a deal for peace while Putin continues to target civilians in hospitals, schools and residences.
It is heartbreaking and makes me angry at the same time.
So thanks for your concern but I will be happy to contribute to your continuing to speak about Ukraine and how it feels to live in the midst of war. We have been so secure and complacent here until recent times and haven’t fought a foreign war on our soil since the early 1800’s. Yet it feels now like our former government has been taken over by madmen; but we are not yet fighting, only protesting in the streets. If you pray, pray for us as many of us here pray for you and Ukraine.
The "good news" I've been seeing is that even Trump is getting frustrated and fed up with Putin, which surprises me; I didn't think anything would break those two up. I doubt his new resolve (which could change tomorrow...) would be all that good for Ukraine, though. :(
The thing that really bothers me about Gaza is that Israel used to be all about very surgical strikes: quite heavy-handed, maybe ("Ha! Beat back 3 invading countries in 6 days! :D"), but other times fairly subtle and very effective (where the heck is Mossad these days? :-/). It seems like what Netanyahu is doing is almost "performative" in his extreme right-wing response to the attack launched by a relatively small group of terrorists, like he's hoping he'll get re-elected if he slaughters enough innocent bystanders and "solves" the Palestinian "problem" once and for all? :(
You are an excellent writer. Thank you for opening your heart to us. I am overwhelmed with anger and frustration at what is happening here in the U.S. and how with a different president the story you write would be more hopeful.
I'd like to think that Harris might've re-thought the policy of arms to Israel (we can't be their only ally) and directed more help to Ukraine, even if in "only" humanitarian and indirect military aid (probably no boots on the ground, but more drones in the air...?). :(
A big hug to you too dear Christi. So big like the size of this country (and remember this is really HUGE, because we are the largest country in Europe in terms of territorial area... without considering that one which we will not mention the name, but anyway, they are located in two continents and that eliminates them from the metric!) 💙💛
When I read your stories, especially the ones with pictures, I can smell the destruction. All disasters have their own smells. Especially after it rains. That is about as far into my nervous system as anything can reach. My vertebrae cry for you.
Thank you for sharing your feelings dear Sandra. The smell of the war is something I think I will never be able to express it adequately, but it is deep. Smells and sounds are such impactful senses in times like these, once I write many time ago about the sound of a missile when I heard it for the first time, more than two years ago, and unfortunately that was an experience I lived several times after. With the smells, it happens the same. And they carry so many emotions, exactly because we can't hear or see them, so our brains try to make all the force they can to interpret then and convert them in something we can describe. Sending a hug and my love to you 💙💛
Your essays are like the diary of Anne Frank. Her feelings and observations have endured the decades, telling us her story. Tell us yours. Shout it loud and clear. There is no other way we on the outside can ever fathom the hell you are living now.
Dear Viktor. Please continue to write your story. It's important for the world to understand the pain and horror your people are going through. Reading your story makes my soul cry but I will continue. I will continue to read so that, in some small part, I am there with your people. I will watch the videos, read the stories, and pray for peace for Ukraine. Slava Ukraini.
Viktor, when I read your posts, I “listen” with my whole heart. I keep you in my prayers. If writing is a form of shelter, a form of survival, keep going. Your many readers are waiting to hear you, with open hearts.
Dear Alia, your words remind me the reason I'm here sharing these feelings with you and the world. I also listen your message with all my heart, and thank you, likewise, with all this heart here 💙💛
Viktor, I am always available to you. If you need a friend to write to, please feel free to message me through Substack. I will do all I can to support you and truly hear you, my friend.
We all support you and all the people of Ukraine, Viktor, your well-being is so very important to us.I just became a Paid Subscriber. It's my small way of surrounding you with love and support though this darkest time. Blessings to you and All of Ukraine 🙏🇺🇦💔
Dear Viktor,
I have never read your words and thought, “Great reporting!”
You are real. You matter. All of you matter. Prayers are being said continually for you and those you love. Prayers are said daily for Ukraine 🇺🇦!
The feelings run deep and I know the feelings are returned.
Please stay safe until we meet here again.
Amen, Betty!
Viktor, whatever you did before all this incredible vicious nightmare started, you are definitely a writer now, and our lifeline to what's -- not news, really -- but what's /going on/ over there: with you, with your friends, your neighbors, with as many folks as you can keep in touch with.
You do matter, love. Very much. :)
I've been to Europe before: 15 countries in 31 days, quite the blistering pace, with a "college-student package deal" company. I got to see Yugoslavia while it still existed, but none of the Soviet "republics" were available at the time for that tour, so I didn't get the chance to visit Ukraine. I wish I had; the photos and footage I've seen of the past look incredible, and the current images...well, may there come a time when all of us here can come over and help everyone rebuild. I saw places in Europe that had been flattened into rubble by the devastation of WWII, according to those images, and due to the efforts of their people, they were up and whole and beautiful again in a decade or so. Some cities in Germany wound up looking like nothing that devastating had happened in the centuries of their existence.
It's not so easy on the people, though; humans are more flexible than buildings, but we're never quite the same afterwards, either. Love and community and caring, hopefully, can help there.
May you all stay resilient and may we all get to meet each other in person after all this is done! Slava Ukraini! :D
I add my voice and support to all the many who,have replied here. I am convinced we will see a gradual turning of the tide which will overwhelm russia and free Ukraine! 💙💛
You are for me the voice and heart of the Ukraine. I feel such compassion for you and your country; my heart aches with the sorrow you and all of your country are experiencing daily. Stay strong.
Matthew, you expressed what I feel better than I ever could. Thank you for that, but most of all, thank you for your compassion for Viktor and the people of Ukraine.
You write beautifully and so poignantly. I have never experienced what you live through every day. Nevertheless, I hope that my voice raised in solidarity might bring you some solace.
It brings A LOT of solace, dear Dan. I would never be exaggerating if I tell you that the messages and comments you and our friends here send me are the source of my energy. The source of my motivation. And I really can't imagine me without this anymore. Thank you very very much. 💙💛
The assaults on Ukraine and especially Trump’s indifference to Ukraine and the bleakness of his withholding of military assistance to Ukraine break
my heart every day. I respond to you because I want you to know that I care about yours and all Ukrainians’ losses every day.
My heart. Is with you ❤️
Naomi
Because you are a poet, an artist. You reach us and touch us in a way no journalist- no matter how good- does. We feel with you. So
much wishing
Thank you so much dear Jacqueline, if I touch you, please know that I can perfectly feel so many times you and our friends touching my hand no matter if from somewhere distant from Ukraine (but never from the heart, absolutely!) 💙💛
Our hearts are always with you Viktor, and your extraordinary president. So moving to see him applauded at Pope Frances’ funeral. Frances must have been with him too. ❤️
I totally agree with you!
… we could take away your pain. Yet knowing you have to live it, and keep living through it. Sending so much love and gratitude for all you do, every day. 💖🙏🏻
I hope and pray every day that this war will end. I am so sorry that our country is not doing what it takes to support Ukraine.
You country is really doing, dear Deb, the force and the support of the people from your country is going to be studied by generations as an example of how populations are united towards a common cause. I mean the people, of course. Just look how many beautiful messages I receive everyday here! About governments, well, that's another issue... but our countries are the people who live there and here, not our governments! For all possible records, here is my declaration of love for the United States of America regardless of anything! 💙💛🇺🇦🇺🇸
Thank you. That right there is making me tear up, thinking of how much and how far we're losing everything here. X-P
Not to direct warfare, thank God, but in just about every other way. May it not come down to armed violence here against each other. :-/
And may we get in some people of compassion and sense to help us run our country!
Viktor, I have never been in the middle of a war like you are. But we are currently in the middle of a war for our freedom from a dictator wannabe.
So we, like you, are doing what we must to get our country back. It's not fun, it's not pretty, but it's necessary. I have no doubt you know what I'm talking about
Please continue to write and share your thoughts because holding it in is not going to do you any good and might actually make it worse for you.
I think what most of us react to is your humanness as you said before. Because most of us have no idea what it's like to be in a war like you're in. And I for one truly appreciate the connection that I feel for one human to another in undescribable circumstances. And I'm sure a lot of other people feel the same way. So thank you very much for sharing a part of your life with us.
Dear Renne, messages like yours are the reason I'm here writing. It's so easy to lose touch with my mission in the world, with my own existence to be fair. I know exactly you mean, and you just helped me reconnect with the goal I used to think when I was sharing my first words three years ago. That time, I was realizing that what I was going through and feeling, all the bombardment of feelings involved (literally) was not something regarding to me personally, or to my country itself. Someday I got myself with the idea I was not an Ukrainian going through despair, but a human being, and the fact I am in the place I was and from the place I am does not make my experiences only mine: they are human, and I could be living exactly the same thing anywhere in the world if living in a country that neighbors an evil one. And suddenly I reminded that things work like a "history lottery", I mean, Ukraine of today can be anywhere tomorrow. The same way most of places in the world were Ukraine someday in the past, mind you. So I found out that I have something universal to share, and maybe who knows, that could make a difference someday? So sorry I got a little confused here, dear friend. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, I really appreciate them.. 💙💛💙💛
Thank you so much Viktor! That really means a lot!
You are most certainly a journalist. Your words are powerful, truthful, heartfelt. We care deeply about you and the incredible people of Ukraine. Stay safe. Stay strong. We send you all the strength we can. 💙
Really appreciate that, dear Louise. Please know I feel stronger after reading your compliments, every word I write I try to bring something meaningful for you, wherever you are, and to make everyone understand that war is not only about invasions and destruction, but also, maybe principally, about the human beings we need to be and the values we need to remember and carry. 💙💛
This touched the soul, Viktor. As a journalist, I find myself occasionally deprived of the humanity amid the reports I’m constantly reading. Your writing seizes the heart and does not let go. The world needs your words. Hope is a lifeline and this keeps it tied tight.
Dear Chloe, as a journalist you are, you touched my heart with that. I wanted to reach people's minds and hearts with culture, with depth, with knowledge, with so many studies I wanted to make along my life about the world, about psychology, about anthropology, imagine yourself... studies that I was never able to carry on for a variety of reasons, and what rested was my heart here. And my knowledge of English language, which is far from perfect, sure, but at least enough to communicate, and to be completely credited to the Ukrainian public school system and never to my personal effort (a bad student along all my life here). And I feel so glad to hear from you that I'm doing a good job, because I almost, almost, for so many times, I gave up everything of this because I was not considering myself worth the challenge of communicating something meaningful. Send you all my deepest and purest love.💙💛
My word, Viktor, you are doing incredibly well for writing in a second language! Way better than I could in Spanish, and I took three terms of that (two in high school [secondary school in Europe?], one in college)! :D
You are one of the best journalists I know. You may not be bringing the latest news but you are keeping a journal - an important record of all aspects of this terrible war, not just the statistics and strategic maneuvers. I plan to become a paid subscriber soon - after my next check comes in. Please keep going!
Dear Carol, it really flatters me to be called a journalist, I personally would like so much to know more about the world, to study history and politics more in depth, so one day to be closer to that. And about being a paid subscriber, please keep in mind that my content will be open to everyone regardless if people can offer a subscription, so will still have full access to everything in the free tier. Besides, please be sure that will not burden your budget and chose the best time for you if you plan to do so!💙💛
Thanks, Viktor!
When my husband retired after 37 years at the same company he received over 1 million dollars in pension and profit-sharing funds. We felt like we could comfortably last on this until the end of our lives or at least the next 25 years.
Then came Trump’s first term and we lost about a third of it. Now after the tariffs and stock market crashes we don’t even want to look at our next statement. And we are not alone. Many Americans and others have lost hard earned money and retirement savings while our supposed leaders profited from insider trading and crypto schemes.
But we are way better off than many who have little or nothing: the homeless, the jobless, the immigrants, the poor, people in prison and detention, victims of war and famine.
We have a roof over our heads, sufficient food and clean water, clothing, books and so much more, for which I am truly grateful. Although our future does not look bright financially, we will survive. We have the love of one another as well as that of family and friends which is what really matters.
I personally have one small and one large pension from my work for universities and libraries. I use the large one necessarily to pay bills and expenses but I use the small one for causes in which I believe. I feel blessed that I am able to give what little I can.
I am 75 and was so happy and relaxed during President Biden’s administration after the horrible experience of Trump’s first term. I couldn’t believe he was reelected (if he actually was and it wasn’t a result of Elon Musk being “so good with voting machines”). It has been worse, way worse than his first term. I wake every day thinking “what fresh hell has he created for us today?”
At first I was upset I had lived so long as to see him regain office and perhaps stay there indefinitely but now I am determined to live to see him go down. My mother and my two grandmothers all lived well into their 90’s so I expect to outlive Trump and his regime. My only hope is that he will go down or be taken down before it is too late for Ukraine and so many others his actions are hurting.
I was devastated that he and his cronies pulled support from Ukraine while sending billions to Israel, thus supporting genocide in Gaza. I cried when Israel was attacked by Hamas but abhor the level of retaliation by them against Palestinian innocent civilians.
It is so odd to me that Israel and the U. S. are the ones behaving like Nazis when the Jews and others were their victims and the U. S. and their Allies fought them, losing countless lives. My father, a WWII combat pilot and POW of the Germans is rolling in his grave.
Likewise I abhor Trump’s cozying up to Putin claiming he is close to making a deal for peace while Putin continues to target civilians in hospitals, schools and residences.
It is heartbreaking and makes me angry at the same time.
So thanks for your concern but I will be happy to contribute to your continuing to speak about Ukraine and how it feels to live in the midst of war. We have been so secure and complacent here until recent times and haven’t fought a foreign war on our soil since the early 1800’s. Yet it feels now like our former government has been taken over by madmen; but we are not yet fighting, only protesting in the streets. If you pray, pray for us as many of us here pray for you and Ukraine.
The "good news" I've been seeing is that even Trump is getting frustrated and fed up with Putin, which surprises me; I didn't think anything would break those two up. I doubt his new resolve (which could change tomorrow...) would be all that good for Ukraine, though. :(
The thing that really bothers me about Gaza is that Israel used to be all about very surgical strikes: quite heavy-handed, maybe ("Ha! Beat back 3 invading countries in 6 days! :D"), but other times fairly subtle and very effective (where the heck is Mossad these days? :-/). It seems like what Netanyahu is doing is almost "performative" in his extreme right-wing response to the attack launched by a relatively small group of terrorists, like he's hoping he'll get re-elected if he slaughters enough innocent bystanders and "solves" the Palestinian "problem" once and for all? :(
You are an excellent writer. Thank you for opening your heart to us. I am overwhelmed with anger and frustration at what is happening here in the U.S. and how with a different president the story you write would be more hopeful.
I'd like to think that Harris might've re-thought the policy of arms to Israel (we can't be their only ally) and directed more help to Ukraine, even if in "only" humanitarian and indirect military aid (probably no boots on the ground, but more drones in the air...?). :(
Hugs to you. Completely understandable in how you are feeling. I’m so sorry 😞
A big hug to you too dear Christi. So big like the size of this country (and remember this is really HUGE, because we are the largest country in Europe in terms of territorial area... without considering that one which we will not mention the name, but anyway, they are located in two continents and that eliminates them from the metric!) 💙💛
Viktor, may God bless your heart and soul as you bless mine. May peace come to your land and people.❤️🙏🏻❤️
Thank you so much dear Diane, peace and blessings to you and your loved ones too! 💙🙏🏻💛
We hold your heart and hug you back.
A big hug from the deepest of my heart dear Betsy! 💙💛
When I read your stories, especially the ones with pictures, I can smell the destruction. All disasters have their own smells. Especially after it rains. That is about as far into my nervous system as anything can reach. My vertebrae cry for you.
Thank you for sharing your feelings dear Sandra. The smell of the war is something I think I will never be able to express it adequately, but it is deep. Smells and sounds are such impactful senses in times like these, once I write many time ago about the sound of a missile when I heard it for the first time, more than two years ago, and unfortunately that was an experience I lived several times after. With the smells, it happens the same. And they carry so many emotions, exactly because we can't hear or see them, so our brains try to make all the force they can to interpret then and convert them in something we can describe. Sending a hug and my love to you 💙💛
I am so, so sorry. 🧨
Your essays are like the diary of Anne Frank. Her feelings and observations have endured the decades, telling us her story. Tell us yours. Shout it loud and clear. There is no other way we on the outside can ever fathom the hell you are living now.
That was the same thought as mine. You are like Anne Frank
I agree, thought of Anne Frank, also.
Victor will see the end of this war.
May it be so!
Dear Viktor. Please continue to write your story. It's important for the world to understand the pain and horror your people are going through. Reading your story makes my soul cry but I will continue. I will continue to read so that, in some small part, I am there with your people. I will watch the videos, read the stories, and pray for peace for Ukraine. Slava Ukraini.