Today marks a special moment of reflection for us—a time of both gratitude and solemn remembrance. Two years ago, darkness blanketed our lives, leaving scars that still ache. We are indebted to the countless souls who sacrificed everything to defend our land, our society, our country. Their courage—whether facing tanks on the streets or leaving behind careers to fight—has granted us freedoms we cherish.
Olexandr Efremov:
Two years of war had radically switched up my way of thinking about life. The treatment of Russians is merely a response to how they treat us, the depressive feelings of the first days of the full-scale war switched to hatred, and hatred had evolved into acceptance of schadenfreude against the invader. Realizations of radicalization did little to stop the process. To me, this war had absolutely destroyed the apathy towards politics — “If you don’t take an interest in politics, politics will take an interest in you” became the new norm for many, myself included. In these two years, I found myself both socially and politically, as jaded as those positions are. This discovery of myself is the greatest philosophical achievement of my almost 20 years on Earth so far. A journey of self-discovery forged by war.
Lana Shpakovych:
Honestly, I’ve been thinking about it since yesterday. I don’t know how to describe it in words because currently there are only confused thoughts and a thick fog in my mind. The perception of life has obviously changed, so I don’t focus on future plans any more. Former fear has turned into radical rage and hatred of russians. I feel great injustice that those people, who have been murdering us for centuries, are still unpunished. Unfortunately, unpunished evil grows stronger. I feel injustice that the world knows about Shostakovich, but not about Barvinsky, about Dostoevsky, but not about Bagryany.
I feel strong pain for our best people, who sacrificed their lives for a free and independent future, and their families, about those warriors, who are still kept in russian captivity, that is far more frightened than hell or death… It seems like international law is destroyed, but almost no one in the world notices it because it’s convenient for the majority… Despite feeling social anxiety, I have a strong interest in political and social processes. Generally, political education is crucial for a conscious civil society, so everyone should deepen their knowledge of it!
I did understand that there is something more than only personal dreams because our generation is responsible for the future!
Dana Hnizdytska:
my opinion has changed. At the beginning of the war, I completely trusted our government and believed in victory. Now, I do not trust our government at all. I am disgusted by its actions. Perhaps I will be condemned for this opinion, but the lives of Ukrainian boys are more important to me than territories. If there was no corruption in our country and the government did not steal money given to us by European partners, everything could be different
Olesia Kysymes:
Right now I feel like the main goal should be the human life and human right, there are huge problems in Ukraine with protection of both
Marichka Andriushchenko:
My opinion about the war hasn’t changed. I still hate all russians without exception, I still believe that every meter of our land is significant. We have many soldiers from the occupied territories who are fighting to return home and hug their loved ones. Too much blood has already been spilled, we have no right to retreat.
Nastya Shvets:
Personally, I think that my opinion has changed. At first, I thought that we fight with good strategy, but now I’m shocked with the situation in the government. I just want the Ukrainian victory and the return of the men home to their families, children, parents.
Alisa Sivakova:
I believe we should pray for peace, I don’t like when we send a lot of hate to the opposite side, we should better send positive emotions to ones who are in danger.
Definitely, life will not be the same for anybody and us as well, because living in the country with war changes your perception drastically
Janya:
It has become clear how much things must change in our country if we want to win and rebuilt our country after all this horror.
Yulia:
My opinion is that the Ukrainian people suffered for a long time because of the war. Many families lost their members who defended our country from russian aggression. I think that russian people are stupid, inhuman, and cruel. They have always hated Ukraine and have always strived to destroy our nation and independence. Russian don’t consider us to be a separate nation, they believe we are the part of russia… It’s extremely unfair that our people die for nothing, just because our neighbour country is crazy…
Anastasiia Lutsenko:
Two years ago, at the beginning of the war, I felt that it was all unreal and the war would end in 2 weeks. But then I realised it would take longer to win and was convinced it would be over in autumn 2022. But even then, this did not happen. I thought that we would not be able to withstand the Russians because there were and there are a lot of them. However, now I realise that the war will continue for many years. Maybe decades. And it will end only when Russia as such ceases to exist. Now I realise how freedom-loving and strong we are.
Aleksey Bondar:
My opinion about the war has changed from total hatred of Russia to a total hatred of Russia and partial hatred of Ukraine. In the first months of the war, Ukraine and its society was as powerful as a steel, but after half a year, all the parasites started to go back to Ukraine, to continue their “job”. Furthermore, many people in Ukraine don’t want to obey the law, and I’m not talking only about the politicians or oligarchs.
People drive cars on side walks, litter on the streets, smoke in the wrong places. It all affects Ukrainian society, it’s quality of life, education, and shows the attitude to the whole country. Even total defeat of Russian forces will not make our people wealthy, smart, friendly, but we need it if we want to achieve a European quality of life. But as far as I can see, there are quite many people in Ukraine who are still not ready for it, which is terrible indeed.
