For some, war is personal

Manor couple has family in Ukraine

By Osei Helper | Manor Ink

Livingston Manor, NY – In December, Russian president Vladimir Putin amassed an increasing number of troops at the borders of Ukraine. He began a full on attack in late February. While much of the rest of the world looked on in horror, the war has still felt like a far-off conflict for many. But for Livingston Manor high school teacher Valeria and her husband Victor, the tragedy has affected them personally. For that reason, Manor Ink is not using their photos or their last names.

Valeria started teaching at LMCS at the beginning of the school year, and is a Russian native. Her family in Russia is experiencing the effects of sanctions imposed by the West in response to Putin’s actions. As the country’s economy flounders and prices rise, her family is struggling to afford food. They also cannot speak out against the war – “Otherwise you are an enemy of the people,” Valeria said.

She also has a brother who is in Ukraine. “I didn’t know if he survived,” Valeria said, obviously concerned. “They basically saved him when troops came. They pulled him out from under the rubble, and he was transported. So he’s hopefully traveling to whatever city in Ukraine.”

Difficulty maintaining contact

Even though she has lost contact with members of her family, Valeria has tried to stay in touch through messaging apps Whatsapp and Telegram.

“I can see online what they’re seeing and experiencing,” she said. “Bombing, constant bombing. Shooting, repression. Anyone who comes up against the Russian government, they shoot, they bomb.” She paused and then added, “So it’s like, no, you have to be quiet. You have to do what they say.”

Valeria believes the consequences for Russia’s actions are not severe enough yet. The oligarchs and friends of Putin who have been sanctioned are still free. Their children aren’t on the battlefield where the Russian army appears to be faltering. “Putin should be completely isolated,” she said. “All his guards and his children, everyone.”

Valeria’s husband, Victor, hails from Kyiv, Ukraine’s capitol. He has lots of family there, including a brother with whom he’d lost contact for a week due to bombings that destroyed cell towers.

“A week ago, we got a call from him and learned that he was evacuated to western Ukraine,” Victor said. “He is in a temporary place for displaced people.”

His brother can’t leave Ukraine because males aged 18 to 60 must stay and defend the country. So out of a population of 45 million, approximately a third has been displaced by the fighting, and only women, children and the elderly can leave.

Victor believes that Russia’s military funds need to be targeted if the war is to end. Those monies come largely from energy exports. ”Germany and Europe are continuing to purchase Russia’s gas and oil,” he said. “Stop those sales and the bloodshed of the innocent civilians and children will stop.”

Putin’s motives

The couple has some thoughts about Putin, too.

”The reasons for this aggression are not rational,” said Victor. “It’s based in imperial thinking. Vladimir Putin wants to take revenge for the collapse of the Soviet Union. He also has a disregard for others’ desire for freedom and liberty and happiness. Things God entitled all people to pursue.”

Valeria agrees that there is no rationale to Putin’s aggression. She describes it as nothing short of crazy. “Putin is an absolutely angry person, just trying to be mean absolutely without reason,” she said.

To elaborate, Valeria told the story of the former governor of Khabarovsk Krai, an eastern Russian territory. “The people elected him governor, and he actually started eliminating corruption. He refused to sell off the region’s trees, its national resource, and once people’s lives started to improve, Putin right away put him in prison,” she said. “He basically shot and killed anyone who was against that. And nobody knows what happened to the governor.”

A similar thing happened in Ukraine. An opponent of Putin’s predicted the invasion, and Putin had him shot. ”He said once the Ukraine starts doing better than Russia, or has more freedom, Putin will go to war,” Valeria said. “Ukraine was living better than Russia and that’s not something Putin liked. He’s not happy when people live well.”

Helping Ukraine

For those who want to help Ukrainians, the couple said donations should be sent to official aid organizations that can provide necessary goods and services. “Americans should also call their Congress members and Senators and urge them to help Ukraine in every possible way,” Victor said. “People can simply offer a spare bedroom for the children refugees.”

These are dire times for everyone involved, so if you are able to help in any way, do so. Let us show this kindness to all people and nations who struggle under similar circumstances.

Reporter Angel Martinez helped with this story.

Sunshine Colony hosts benefit for Ukraine

Two full seatings packed Sunshine Colony on Main Street in the Manor on Mar. 20 for a Ukrainian dinner served up by Tommy Finch and Kaitlyn Kulikowski of the Beaverkill Valley Inn. All the proceeds from the dinner were donated to Refugees International to benefit Ukrainians fleeing the war.

Over $3,000 was raised. Kevin Cooke, co-proprietor of the Colony with his wife Meg McNeill, commented afterwards, “We really appreciated Tommy and Kaitlyn coming to us with this idea, and how our community came out to support it was just incredible.”

Art Steinhauer