The most typical question foreigners ask us: where Ukrainian people get their energy now, where do they draw their strength from? They are amazed why we defend ourselves so staunchly, where the strength comes from and unexpected power for them.
Gleb, Ukraine:
Everyone in Ukraine is aware of the importance of the historical moment that can decide the future fate of Ukraine!
There are two options.
1) We are winning the war, returning Ukraine and Kiev to leadership positions in the region.
2) We lose the war, return to the zero point and then wait for to have a chance to defend our independence once more (but this can happen again only at the end of the century).
Ukrainians choose the first option! We will defend our state, create new institutions, build cities, strengthen national unity.
This is what we draw our energy from!
Victoria, Kyiv:
As for me, it’s all about understanding that it’s the most valuable of what I have. I have my home where I’ve grown up. I have my home village, my friends, and my parents. I cannot let anyone destroy it. It’s a part of my soul which cannot be replaced with anything else.
Secondly, I get a lot of energy and positive emotions from our soldiers (it’s amazing that they not only protect us but also try to calm us down) who say that everything is under control, and we are going to win. I suppose everyone has seen such videos on Instagram or somewhere else. It really makes me feel powerful and proud. Unbelievably proud for Ukrainians.
Julia, Ukraine:
Part of my family died in Holodomor. Part of them died later due to repressions. I have to stay strong, not only for myself and for my relatives, but also for those who couldn’t make it. For those who were violently killed, because they didn’t fit into the totalitarian plan. Just a single thought about someone from family dying or being repressed makes me angry. And from this anger I rise and stand.
But anger isn’t all. It’s just a part of it. Another part is pure love for those who didn’t make it. Love for this place and for this country, land and people.
Julia, Ukraine:
I started to give up on everything russian long before the war. It wasn’t easy and took time, so step by step I was deleting and removing russian art, music, and people from my life. The war just strengthened my opinion on this decision. I have a small piece of hope for russian people, but now I am just disappointed and not even surprised that everything turned this way. These people aren’t worth my time, money, feelings, or anything else.
Yana, Ukraine:
I’m getting more energetic and determined thanks to people who surround me. Volunteers, who dedicate their time and efforts to cover the back of our army. Soldiers, who tell that they want more russians so they could lay them down along the Ukrainian border. Journalists and just simple social media users, who support our informational front, whether it is telling the world truth about russian invasion or dropping supportive funny memes about it. Finally, the closest ones, who inspire me with their decisiveness, optimism and willingness to fight and to improve themselves for the sake of our country.
Sofia, Kyiv:
First of all, my attitude to russia and russians (I cannot call them people). I did not respect them before, but after the war started I found out the feeling I have never felt before – hatred. This feeling destroys you from within, you forget about everything, about your previous life, studying deadlines and other feelings, only hatred instead. But the good news, I have figured out Ukrainian people to be very united, brave and inspired about their future. Even during the war we understand the importance of our unity (we do not keep hatred in our hearts, but we always remember all russian crimes made against Ukraine and Ukrainian people) and this makes us even stronger.
