On the night of February 24, 2022, Lesia's family was woken up by a huge explosion. The Russian invasion had begun.
3 years of full-scale war in Ukraine: “This is my life now”
Three years ago (on February 24, 2022), Russia attacked Ukraine. How are people coping? Welthungerhilfe (WHH) employee Oleksandra Titorova reports in an interview on everyday life in a country torn apart by war.
After three years of full-scale war, how would you describe the situation in Ukraine today—both in everyday life and from a broader perspective?
During the three years of the full-scale Russia-Ukraine war, people got used to it. There came a realization that this is your life, you have to live it now, because there will be no other. As psychologists say, this is a normal reaction to absolutely abnormal circumstances.
I live in Kyiv, and although it is now considered one of the most protected cities in Ukraine, attack drones fly into the capital every night. Even today at 5 a.m., when I saw the alert on my phone about the approaching danger and heard the explosion, I opened only one eye to read on apps where it hit or where the mobile air defense team shot it down.
Tetiana Zaskoka, my colleague from Sumy, a city that is once again on the front line, once told me:
“I'm definitely used to this kind of life, where there is only today. Now I can hardly remember what it's like to walk at night and how to live without a curfew, the sounds of explosions scare me as they used to, it's hard to recover from them. So I keep myself busy with the simplest things in life: cooking for dinner, cleaning the apartment, doing homework with the kids. And then, it turns out, you live your usual life. A life where I don't allow myself to think too much, I only have time for action. It's easier that way.”
Displaced by war – hope of return fades
Also, people who were forced to flee their homes have stopped talking about returning home, which is really sad. I still remember a mother with three children from Sumy oblast (region). When we talked to Lesia 2 years ago, she kept saying that she had temporarily left home and was about to return.
JERU (“Joint Emergency Response in Ukraine” – a partnership between two humanitarian organizations: Concern Worldwide and WHH) then supported the family with multi-purpose cash assistance, which they spent on roof repairs, firewood and medicines. And now her village probably no longer exists, as it is located one kilometer from the Ukrainian-Russian border. For the second time in three years, terrible fighting has broken out there.
A childhood in the midst of war
We feel especially sorry for children and young people. Their happy childhood and crazy youth (in a good sense) were stolen from them.
One winter, JERU and its partners from the charity organization “We are brothers, we are Ukrainians” came to a very small village, quite far from big cities with public transport, shops and relative entertainment for children, but close enough to the front line. It's impossible to describe how excited the children were to see a psychologistwho came to the village twice a week to work with children as part of a joint project. The kids ran up to him and hugged him very sincerely. It was obvious how much these children needed psychosocial support classes and how obviously positive they were.
So when two bombs destroyed a school in a neighboring village where similar classes were held, it was a shock to JERU staff as well. Fortunately no one was around at the time.
“I want my old life back!”
What does this anniversary mean to you and to the people around you?
This is another year lived in the pain of loss, in the daily news of where and what kind of missile is approaching, and how many lives have been cut short today.
At some point you realize: this is your life, you have to live it now, because there will be no other.
Oleksandra Titorova Communications Officer UkraineThe population composition is now particularly noticeable, especially in small towns and villages. Due to the military mobilization of men of working age, only women with children and the elderly remain in the villages.
That's why the issue of women in male professions is very relevant now. Another woman said: “You know, we are, of course, very thankful to humanitarian organizations for their support, but we would never need your help if there was no war. I just want to live my old life.”
Unfortunately, that is not possible, and we have to adapt. People in Ukraine are not used to living on humanitarian aid. That's why they are looking for opportunities to restore their businesses or change their professions completely.
War in Ukraine: humanitarian workers also in danger
From your experience, what impact has WHH's work had in Ukraine? What are the biggest challenges in delivering humanitarian assistance?
The safety and security situation remains a major concern. In the three years of full-scale war, up to 25 humanitarian workers have been killed and 58 injured in the course of their work. The car of our partners from thecharitable foundation “Angels of Salvation” was hit by an FPV (First Person View) drone when there were civilians inside, including those being evacuated from the areas of active hostilities. Fortunately, the vehicle was armored and no one was injured. It's also important to note that the vehicle was clearly marked with the logos of the charity and "Evacuation" in big letters.
In the summer of 2024, two Russian bombs destroyed a school in daylight where usually our partners were conducting psychosocial support classes for children. The approach of the front line has made access for humanitarian organizations much more difficult. We can't provide ongoing services like mental health care, we can only provide emergency assistance when needed. This is why in Kharkiv, a city that is attacked almost every day by ballistic missiles or aerial bombs, such classes have been moved to a school in the subway, recognizing how much the issue of security is a priority.
Hope – more important than money and firewood
You can't imagine how important it is for residents of small villages, who are mostly pensioners and disabled people, to receive winter support – firewood or cash for utilities. For example, the purchase of solid fuel for the winter season, which lasts five months in Ukraine, can cost several months' pensions. But a large number of fields in southern Ukraine contain landmines. So, we have to carefully assess the security risks in the places we go to protect ourselves as we try to reach communities in need.
The vast majority of participants in our livelihood projects say that regardless of whether it is a micro grant or a grant for small/medium businesses, they primarily receive hope, not money. Hope that everything will work out. The belief that everything is possible. I think this is the most important thing.
Looking ahead, what are your hopes and fears for Ukraine?
Wars never last forever. This war will end one day. I am inspired by the stories of our project participants. People who have literally lost everything – home, family, health, work. Like phoenixes, they rise from the ashes, to seek opportunities for self-development, to rebuild their business, and to help others.
I am inspired by my colleagues. Do you know how many of the JERU national staff are people who left their occupied hometowns with the understanding that they may never return there again? They dream of their home at night, and in the morning they wakeup and go to help the same people they were just a short time ago.
This is also the greatest value – a deep understanding of how to create the most effective projects that address the real needs of war-affected people. International support is needed now no less than it was two years ago. Afterall, the most difficult times––the times of reconstruction––are still ahead. And I am grateful to my international colleagues for sharing this path with us.
Categories
