Mariana (31), Maksim (7), Irina (4)

Monday, March 7, 2022, Inovec

Our conversation is interrupted by her crying. Whenever she mentions her home, her husband, her family, her children. Can she ever forget? I think everyone knows the answer. Never. Despite all the pain, she shows incredible understanding for the people of Russia. She does not condemn others for the ignorance that results from propaganda. Propaganda that changed her life and the lives of her entire family.

"We left there as soon as the war started. I feel very bad and I'm having hard times because I left my husband there and I'm worried about him. We stayed in touch with my family, my brother works as a volunteer in Vynnits, my husband is in Mukachevo in the west of Ukraine. I'm thinking about what's going on at home, about my brother and my husband all the time. Fortunately the children are safe here with us. They were constantly disturbed by frequent sirens at home. They (the Russians) also bombed the airport. We are very grateful to the Slovaks for accepting us here." 

"We went to Slovakia via western Ukraine. Volunteers helped us with accommodation in Chernivtsi, then in Khotini, and in Uzhhorod a friend helped us cross the border. We saw on TV that there were long lines at the crossings, fortunately we only waited for a few hours. Upon arrival in Slovakia, we were immediately surrounded by volunteers who gave us tea, asked us what they could do for us, whether we had a place to go to, where to sleep. It was a big help. We are very grateful for such support." 

"All our men had to stay at home. My mother in law also decided to stay. We keep calling her, telling her that we will help to bring her to the border and then we would take care of her here in Trencin. But she probably doesn't want to leave because of health problems. She doesn't want to leave her village and her children." 

"I studied dentistry at home, but so far I have only done administrative work, and I do not know whether I will be able to continue doing it here in Slovakia. I will try! It will probably take me few weeks to calm down. I am really happy that part of my family is here with me. Our house is still standing. We are telling the children that there is a war at home, that we had to flee here. They are 6 - 7 years old, they have seen it and sensed it all, especially when we ran to hide in the shelter, there was no way to protect them from it." 

"Most of our friends are fleeing to Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. We all have a family in Russia. They are also helpless there. They would have to take to the streets in very large numbers. Only then can a result be achieved. The government may get frightened and start acting differently. However, people are afraid and sitting at home, they need to be urged to take to the streets, not only for us in Ukraine, but also for Russia and the whole world! I understand that it's not up to them, that they are not the ones who are responsible. It's caused by the propaganda to which they have to listen every day. I want this to end as soon as possible so we can return home to our families. I want them to realise what's going on as soon as possible, so this could be all over. "