“I am in a safe place for now in Ukraine, but it is hard to sleep at night since we are at the sea line and could be attacked from there. I am afraid to miss hearing the emergency sound that tells us to move to a secure place. There haven’t been many fights in my region so far, but we hear the rockets shooting as other cities are attacked more violently. I am scared, but not panicking. I am worried about family members. They are in different cities and we check in several times a day to support each other and show our love. We feel very united right now. We are helping each other and are very proud of our armed forces.

For eight years, we have had a war-like situation in two regions with people dying almost every week. It has been stressful all of this time. In February, we hoped this was only an information war that was getting stronger to scare people and make us panic. We tried to stay calm. Even with all of the information, the invasion on Feb. 24 still came suddenly. Why in the 21st century does someone think they can get whatever they want with brute force?

We want the world to know the truth. We are not fighting with Russia. We are defending our country, our freedom, and our homes. They try to convince the world that they are helping us, but we never asked to be saved by them. They say they aim at strategic objects, but they shoot at the kindergartens and apartment houses. Why are they killing children? It hurts to see what is happening to them. Thousands of brave people volunteered to join the defense forces. They can’t sit calm and do nothing, they need to protect our country and our homes. We pray for them to stay alive and win.

We see the support from around the world and we appreciate this. I grew up in Ukraine. It’s a big, beautiful country that I love with all of my heart. The country helps me stay strong and feel secure. My favorite food is Borscht. I love the open-air celebrations with food and music. Our people wear national embroidered clothes to all national holidays. I hope we will be able to have those again soon.

Sometimes I think about leaving the country to go somewhere safer, but I don’t want to leave my family. I don’t want to leave Ukraine, but there is now the threat of nuclear weapons. Will Russia use them against us?

Every day I hope to wake up and learn it’s over, that it’s safe and peaceful outside. I was born in independent Ukraine, that’s all I know. I don’t want to learn how to live without freedom.”

Olga

(The photo is of the opera house in Ukraine. One of Olga’s favorite buildings.)