I hate my government for abandoning Ukraine. I hate my government for ambushing President Zelensky at our White House as a pretext for switching sides in this war. A majority of Americans feel the same way. I have family in Ukraine and this has angered me to my core. The people in our government right now do not represent the majority of Americans, they are tyrants who are fast showing us how ugly, hateful, disrespectful, and cruel they can be. I pray for Ukraine. Slava Ukraini.
Beautiful writing. It makes one want to cry and also praise the ones that are holding on to survive. Thank you for telling these stories of life in Ukraine.
Thank you so much, Viktor, for giving us some of the names and voices behind the numbers. This is really important work you are doing. Love and solidarity to all these women: and to their brave families as well.
We have a Ukrainian mother with small children as our brand new neighbours in our little apartment building in French-speaking Belgium. They come from Kharkiv... But through it all, they are all always smiling: through leaving behind home and family; through adjusting to the many challenges of a new place, a new society, a new language; through trying to make a happy home in all of that for the children. All the time against the background of what is happening at home... We feel so, so lucky to know them!
I feel helpless as I read your post … I feel bewildered and angry and turned upside down BUT I am NOT fighting on a frontline or waiting for the bombs to fall, to only have bucket of water if I’m lucky, to live with until I can get more…I’m not watching the skies day and night and feeling the sharp dig into my body and mind as I hear a siren… l am not wondering if I will ever see my beloveds again… forgive me for not seeing or thinking or worrying or wanting to walk free in the spring sunshine and being able to do that freely …I am so sorry. Thank you for your post. It has really brought home to me your longing and your sadness and your courage….and my need to be responsive and supportive…where I can be. The war in Ukraine has highlighted all the wars being waged in this terrible and beautiful world. I think of Palestine, Central Africa, Syria, Lebanon and other regions. Sudan, Chad and anywhere else where a deadly regime holds power by the gun, the sword and the duplicity of propaganda. What kind of species are we??
Terribly sad really …are we as a species becoming more dehumanised? I think it’s possible too that here in the West, there is a kind of desensitisation going on …which is why I wrote the way I did.
Viktor, I was deeply moved by this. Thank you for sharing this story. Thank you for keeping us informed. I wish the best for you and your wife and child and for all Ukrainians. Slava Ukraini.
Thank you for sharing this story of some of the women of Ukraine, including your wife. I sit here, in my cosy apartment, with my cat sleeping on the carpet, and am filled with sadness that this war continues, as well as disgust at Donald Trump’s complete disregard for the outcome.
Thank you Viktor, for sharing your stories with us. What you are living thru is unimaginable for me.
Please know that the American people stand with you, despite the convicted felon ‘s actions. We fully support Ukraine, and demonstrations are going on all over the US to reject what our government is doing with regard to your country.
Also please know that the people of Trinity Episcopal church in Oshkosh Wisconsin have been praying for you since this senseless war began. We won’t stop!!!!
God Bless and Keep you and the wonderful people of Ukraine. 🇺🇦 💛💙
Thank you for this deeply moving and inspiring piece. Please know there are so many citizens of these United States 🇺🇸 who admire the strength and courage of your family, and stand with you and the people of the Ukraine. 🇺🇦 🙏💪❤️
Your writing is so Beautiful! Thank you for writing this so we all know of Ukraine’s fight for freedom and democracy is real. I admire their strength and resilience! God Bless Ukraine!🇺🇦 🙏🏿🌻❤️
Thank you for this poignant essay.
I hate my government for abandoning Ukraine. I hate my government for ambushing President Zelensky at our White House as a pretext for switching sides in this war. A majority of Americans feel the same way. I have family in Ukraine and this has angered me to my core. The people in our government right now do not represent the majority of Americans, they are tyrants who are fast showing us how ugly, hateful, disrespectful, and cruel they can be. I pray for Ukraine. Slava Ukraini.
Slava Ukraini!!!!
Beautiful writing. It makes one want to cry and also praise the ones that are holding on to survive. Thank you for telling these stories of life in Ukraine.
What a poignant story! Thank you for sharing and reminding us of the terrible reality for so many Ukrainian families. We are with you! 🇺🇦
Thank you so much, Viktor, for giving us some of the names and voices behind the numbers. This is really important work you are doing. Love and solidarity to all these women: and to their brave families as well.
We have a Ukrainian mother with small children as our brand new neighbours in our little apartment building in French-speaking Belgium. They come from Kharkiv... But through it all, they are all always smiling: through leaving behind home and family; through adjusting to the many challenges of a new place, a new society, a new language; through trying to make a happy home in all of that for the children. All the time against the background of what is happening at home... We feel so, so lucky to know them!
Shared.
And of course I instantly thought of my great-grandmother who got a rifle and went outside to fight off the Russian invaders in Lithuania.
Strong stock, Eastern European women. Proud to have them as my ancestors.
#SlavaUkraini 💛💙🇺🇦⚔️
With gratitude for putting humanity front and center in your story, Viktor.
We need to know
We cannot look away
We need to learn the fate of those women & children kidnapped and taken to russia
We need to do what we can to shelter & stop the deportation of 240,000 Ukrainians (as reported by Reuters) who fled here for sanctuary
And, we need to work together to FREE AMERICA from what is strangling her
I am an Ordinary Person gathering together other Ordinary Persons - like filings to a magnet - building an Army of Ordinary Persons
I feel helpless as I read your post … I feel bewildered and angry and turned upside down BUT I am NOT fighting on a frontline or waiting for the bombs to fall, to only have bucket of water if I’m lucky, to live with until I can get more…I’m not watching the skies day and night and feeling the sharp dig into my body and mind as I hear a siren… l am not wondering if I will ever see my beloveds again… forgive me for not seeing or thinking or worrying or wanting to walk free in the spring sunshine and being able to do that freely …I am so sorry. Thank you for your post. It has really brought home to me your longing and your sadness and your courage….and my need to be responsive and supportive…where I can be. The war in Ukraine has highlighted all the wars being waged in this terrible and beautiful world. I think of Palestine, Central Africa, Syria, Lebanon and other regions. Sudan, Chad and anywhere else where a deadly regime holds power by the gun, the sword and the duplicity of propaganda. What kind of species are we??
We are still a very primitive species that has not evolved.
Terribly sad really …are we as a species becoming more dehumanised? I think it’s possible too that here in the West, there is a kind of desensitisation going on …which is why I wrote the way I did.
Viktor, I was deeply moved by this. Thank you for sharing this story. Thank you for keeping us informed. I wish the best for you and your wife and child and for all Ukrainians. Slava Ukraini.
Thank you for sharing this story of some of the women of Ukraine, including your wife. I sit here, in my cosy apartment, with my cat sleeping on the carpet, and am filled with sadness that this war continues, as well as disgust at Donald Trump’s complete disregard for the outcome.
Beautiful!!!! Thank you for this love letter to the women of your country.
Thank you Viktor, for sharing your stories with us. What you are living thru is unimaginable for me.
Please know that the American people stand with you, despite the convicted felon ‘s actions. We fully support Ukraine, and demonstrations are going on all over the US to reject what our government is doing with regard to your country.
Also please know that the people of Trinity Episcopal church in Oshkosh Wisconsin have been praying for you since this senseless war began. We won’t stop!!!!
God Bless and Keep you and the wonderful people of Ukraine. 🇺🇦 💛💙
As horrible as this is to read, it's also beautiful. Thank you for sharing your sadness and your strength.
Indeed we are with you. Will always be. Keep writing.
Thank you for this deeply moving and inspiring piece. Please know there are so many citizens of these United States 🇺🇸 who admire the strength and courage of your family, and stand with you and the people of the Ukraine. 🇺🇦 🙏💪❤️
Your writing is so Beautiful! Thank you for writing this so we all know of Ukraine’s fight for freedom and democracy is real. I admire their strength and resilience! God Bless Ukraine!🇺🇦 🙏🏿🌻❤️
Your writing is so beautiful….