Nazariy, a military man.
“A military career never attracted me. Most of all I loved two things — historical research and writing books. That is what I’ve done for most of my life. I worked in a museum, studied 20th-century Ukraine, published two children’s books and a collection of poetry, and started writing fantasy stories.
But war came to my country and I twice became a soldier. First in 2015, when Russia sent its mercenaries to fight, and then in 2022, when regular Russian troops arrived. Now I have served in the artillery for two years and I am trying to make sure the occupiers die or leave Ukraine.
I am defending not only my country but my priorities in life. If the Russians take over, I will not be able to study history or write books. I will either be killed or forced to spread their propaganda lies.
The war takes away precious time that I could use for good things, but fighting is my choice and I hope my military experience will help me in my future work. After the war, I plan to enjoy a peaceful life in the country I defended.”
Natalia, a citizen of liberated Hostomel
“Two years ago my hometown, located near Bucha and Irpin, was occupied almost instantly. I managed to escape with my daughter while my brother Mykola joined a territorial defense unit. We lost touch three days after occupation. That was when he lost his life.
Their unit had not received body armor in time, so a bullet tore his heart apart. On the 51st day of the war, we were finally able to bury him. It’s good that we got his body in one piece. In the morgues at the time there were many unidentified body parts, it was all that was left of some people.
Russians plundered my apartment. The uninvited ‘guests’ left a message on a kitchen board: ‘Forgive us. We don’t like it ourselves!’ I believe the unforgivable should never be forgiven.
Two years later, my town is coming back to life. The bridge that was the only escape for many has been rebuilt, houses are being reconstructed and people go to newly opened cafes for coffee. Such small rituals are an echo of a normal life. Ukrainians are like flowers that rise through concrete.
I want to believe the best is yet to come after restoring my apartment and getting back to work. But, watching the news, I feel common sense has lost to political hype all over the world.”
Anonymous, a citizen of occupied Donetsk.
“Donetsk used to be known as the city of a million roses. Now it is the city of a million problems.
I can’t leave, it’s my home. To continue to own my own place I had to apply for a Russian passport, otherwise they said they would throw me out. It is also hard to sell property as prices have plummeted.
The population of some occupied towns in the area has returned to pre-invasion levels after Russians seized empty homes or bought them for peanuts. Russian media even promote it as a good investment.
People are afraid to share details of life under occupation. I will just say that many of us who have not left the city are older people who can’t imagine a life elsewhere. Many are now away from their children and fear there will be no one to take care of their funerals.”
Andriy, a volunteer.
“I was a civil servant for over a decade, eventually leaving my role as a first deputy governor to pursue investment opportunities. I am currently head of the Rotary Club in my region.
Since the full-scale invasion, we have taken care of 16 internally displaced families, who are caring for 130 orphans. We provide essential aid, such as medicine, food, and other necessities, while helping them settle into their new circumstances. We bought practice balls for one family after learning of the children’s passion for soccer.
Another family, which had lost everything, has already bought a house and launched an agribusiness. Another consists solely of children. After the death of their parents, the older ones stepped up to take care of their younger siblings.
This emerging generation of Ukrainians is truly remarkable — intelligent, resilient, and brimming with talent. They have a deep love for Ukraine.
The war, tragically, has served as a unifying force. To achieve success, we must set aside divisive issues such as language or religion and strive to emulate multicultural and tolerant societies.”
Tetiana, a refugee.
“My life was in Sumy, northeastern Ukraine, 30km (19 miles) from the border with Russia — so close that the missiles hit before the warning sirens start. I am now in Germany with my children.
Two and a half years ago I had a beautiful big house, a great career, a good income, and long-term plans. I was a respected person, I was myself. Then suddenly I was evacuating my family and hiding in the woods from Russian tanks.
To start over is always hard. To start over at the age of 50 against my will and far from my beloved husband was unbearable.
Some of those who remained in Ukraine hold a grudge against those who left. We are already strangers at home and will be strangers in the new places for a long time.
For now, I am learning the language, but most people like me can’t find a job in their field. Vacancies for cleaners are the best bet for many. We are ‘former people’.
I have to protect my children. Even if this phase of the war ends, Russia will not calm down. I am alive, but my life is gone.”
Elena, Ukraine advocate and author of this article
“I have dedicated more than a decade to democracy-building in Ukraine. I saw my country change, deconstruct its Soviet past, and build a European future. It breaks my heart to see how the Ukrainian people’s future is being taken from them. And two years on I have more questions than answers.
At the dawn of 2022, it took a lot of effort by many people to convey the truth about Russia’s war crimes and build support for Ukraine. So why, two years after the full-scale invasion, do we need to repeat time and again obvious statements like the fact that Russian aggression is a danger to the Western world and the rules-based order?
Why are the testimonies of children saved from Russian captivity not enough to unblock desperately needed aid packages? Why are Ukrainians expected to sell a story of success but not given enough weapons to keep evil away from the homes of their Western allies?
And how come all 31 NATO member states, and 24 other allies, are scraping the bottom of their defense barrel and unable to put one troublemaker in his place? What would they have done if Ukrainian courage had not ruined the aggressor’s plans?
I might never get the answers to my questions. But I will do all I can to shift the Western view of events. Ten years after the invasion, Ukrainians are finally seen, though not often heard. I want them to be fully understood.”
Elena Davlikanova is a Democracy Fellow with the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA.) She is an experienced researcher and in 2022 was co-author of ‘The Work of the Ukrainian Parliament in Wartime’ and ‘The War of Narratives: The Image of Ukraine in Media.’
Europe’s Edge is CEPA’s online journal covering critical topics on the foreign policy docket across Europe and North America. All opinions expressed on Europe’s Edge are those of the author alone and may not represent those of the institutions they represent or the Center for European Policy Analysis. CEPA maintains a strict intellectual independence policy across all its projects and publications.
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