Americans with family in Ukraine are watching the invasion with feelings of horror, helplessness and hope.
As air raid sirens screamed in Kyiv, the nation’s capitol, thousands of Ukrainians fled toward Poland, while others flooded bomb shelters and metro stations, and attempted to stock up on groceries, gas, and money via nearby ATMs.
“Last night, at around 7 or 8 PST, someone messaged me saying, ‘It’s starting. It’s beginning.’ So my mom and I started frantically calling basically everyone that we knew in Ukraine. Which is insane — personally, I thought we at least had a few more days. I thought it would be a more gradual escalation.“The emotions of everyone vary. One person said he’s getting his wife and kids and they’re leaving. He can’t leave, he says the country won’t let him leave, but he’s getting his family out.
“My family is concerned about war. The situation has been unclear and unstable for years now; somehow they learned to live with it, and it’s harder for some of them, obviously. I recently talked to my nephew who is 21 years old. He served in the Army, and he is scared he will have to fight again. That’s his main concern at the moment.“My fears are also centered around war and innocent lives that all have no say in this.
“I am so afraid that such peaceful people like my family will be injured or killed by Russian soldiers. I am afraid that my whole family can be destroyed and they never did anything bad to anyone. They are brave and scared people. I feel guilty that I am here in the U.S., but I can’t leave the country and help them because I have a small son. He’s just 2, and my duty is to keep him safe first of all. I wish I could be there with my family and for Ukrainians to help and support them.
“My father is a very calm person, he does not show his fears. So when I asked him about his main concern, he said that if they put Russian troops in Ukraine, his biggest fear is that he would lose connection with me. “Conversations are always positive and we both make sure they remain positive. Their spirits are high but they are worried and in fear of their personal safety, as anyone would in a country so torn by war. Their concerns are constantly growing.
“Speaking for my wife, it’s difficult not knowing exactly what’s happening or what could or will happen. The time difference never helps. Things may be happening while we sleep or conversely when they are. It’s the feeling, at least partially, of helplessness that is the hardest for both of us. The fear of possibly not being able to get them out of there or go to them.
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