There are moments in your life you'll always remember. For me, it was Feb. 24, 2022. It was 5 a.m. in Ukraine when my good friend known as me to say, “The conflict has began in Ukraine.” My coronary heart skipped a beat. The Russian military invaded my nation — shelling assaults had begun towards a number of Ukrainian cities.
I had arrived at San José State College as a visiting scholar from Italy a couple of weeks earlier. At the moment, tensions had been rising due to the positioning of Russian troops alongside the Ukrainian border. However, who may anticipate or think about a conflict in Europe in 2022? I might not. It was surprising, devastating and scary. I nonetheless can’t imagine it's occurring. However the individuals in Ukraine see the navy actions and listen to the bombs and photographs.
They're sleeping in shelters. Persons are dying — males, girls and harmless kids. My grandparents, household and associates are there, and I'm continuously nervous about their security and their lives. None of them need to depart the nation; their houses, jobs and lives are there. However many civilians had been compelled to go away. This pointless conflict created enormous flows of refugees. There are, truly, challenges with evacuation, and a few individuals are simply gridlocked on the streets in site visitors, stranded with out entry to meals and water.
A basic proper — comparable to the precise to life — should at all times be revered, even throughout conflict. However in keeping with the Workplace of the President of Ukraine, simply within the first days, 352 civilians had been killed, together with 16 kids, and a pair of,040 individuals had been injured due to the Russian invasion.
The numbers are rising each day.
Ukraine has been an unbiased nation since 1991; it's democratic and sovereign. It has its personal tradition, language and is a nation with 1000's of years of historical past that can't be destroyed.
I'm happy with the Ukrainian navy that resists and of the residents which can be extra united than ever. They present bravery by defending our homeland and have the braveness to withstand additional advances. My grandfather instructed me by cellphone: “Within the case of necessity, I'll defend my woman (my grandmother).” He's 85 years outdated.
The spirit of the Ukrainian individuals is unbreakable.
In lots of cities, native eating places supply the service of free meals. There are teams of volunteers who're serving to one another discover important drugs comparable to insulin for diabetics. Ukrainian moms give start in bomb shelters. Native companies and civilians are donating cash to the military. They arrive collectively to ship the mandatory items, comparable to meals and clothes. Ukrainians are united overseas as properly. I'm becoming a member of different Ukrainians within the Bay Space who're going to protests to make the world conscious of the tragedy in Ukraine. Our message is loud and clear: Please assist us cease this invasion.
The worldwide group helps Ukraine, too. Many nations are donating provides to the Ukrainian military and offering humanitarian help. I thank everybody for serving to Ukraine in any manner they'll. Though there's a want for meals, clothes, drugs and different primary items, the easiest way to assist is to offer cash to respectable organizations which can be offering humanitarian help.
Nonetheless lengthy Ukraine is below assault and on hearth, you will need to sustain the strain on the Russian authorities, together with sanctions.
I'll always remember this violent assault on my nation. However I'll at all times bear in mind the best way Ukrainians are sticking up for his or her independence.
Folks deserve peace, there is no such thing as a justification for any conflict.
Valeriia Karnaukhova is a visiting scholar at San Jose State College.