Ukranians living in Howick have denounced Russia’s invasion of their home country with one describing it as unlawful and barbaric.
They have been worried about their friends’ and families’ safety since Russian President Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24. News agency Reuters estimates there have been thousands of deaths with 1.7 million Ukranians displaced, having fled to neighbouring countries.
Sasha Chekal, who lives in Howick, says she has family in Ukraine.
“First they were in shock, then anger and now they are anxious. I try and get up super early in the morning at 5-6am to catch them going to sleep and spend over an hour on Skype discussing the day they have had,” said Chekal.
“And then I call/talk to them our evening. They are now really worried what is to come, Putin clearly is not going to stop until he gets what he wants and his target is to take [capital] Kyiv.
“I am finding it extremely distressing and I feel really ill, watching small children lose their homes, kids have died, have been injured, civilians shot at. And I can’t purely believe this is happening to my home-town.
“It is really tough time right now for us and I wish I was closer to help my people.”
She said she has a friend who has had a liver transplant and had to be discharged from hospital because they can only cope with people who are in intensive care and have had wounds from the war.
“It is really, really tough and I just don’t think a lot of people really grasp what it is like, for things like this to happen and so quickly, while we are here sitting on the other side of the world.”
Olga Middlemiss is from Kyiv and has been living in NZ for 17 years, the last 10 years as a Howick resident.
“My family lives in Kyiv. Every day starts and finishes with me checking in with family and friends. I talk to my parents daily and we try not to cry on either side of the phone. I know we all cry straight after,” Middlemiss said.
“Luckily, my parents were out of Kyiv in L’viv region when my country was brutally invaded. Today my parents are safe where they are and have become a central information hub for all relatives and friends – making sure they check in with everyone.
“Kyivans are busy. Lots of friends have volunteered into the Territorial Defence [force] – you had to be fast, as there are more people wanting to join than there are guns available.
Middlemiss said her 16-year-old nephew in Kyiv is too young to volunteer, so he is helping the elderly and families in bomb shelters. “My friends in the restaurant business are busy 24/7 preparing hundreds and hundreds of meals every day to keep everyone fed. Mums who stay at home with kids are busy sewing for the army,” said Middlemiss.
She has not heard from relatives close to Hostomel for a few days. “We pray it is just a power cut and they are alive.
“My home country is being destroyed by unprovoked brutal invasion. Russian troops are killing the civilian population, they are consciously killing Ukrainian children,” Middlemiss said.
“This is beyond war, this is genocide. However, what Russia does not understand is that Ukraine is united in doing anything to protect their children, homes and land.
“Ukrainians will not stop till the last breath, the quicker this war stops the less people die. Worldwide sanctions against Russia, military and humanitarian help have been an amazing support from around the world.
“European countries have already welcomed over a million refugees. The neighbouring countries are helping as much as they can because they know that Ukraine is fighting for their peace too. If Ukraine does not stop Putin, this murderer will not stop at Ukraine.”
Ukrainians, she said, hope for NATO involvement starting with closing the sky by enforcing a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
“New Zealanders have been very supportive overall. NZ Government is making some good progress to change the law to be able to implement their own sanctions against Russia. It also should recognise Ukrainians as refugees [making it] easy as much as possible their coming to NZ to unite with their relatives who live here.
“On a micro level, there are plenty of fundraising activity around the country, please support us, every little bit helps.”
Tatyana Ganich, 60, a structural engineer who came from Bila Tserkva (80km from Kyiv) 20 years ago with her husband and daughter, has lived in Howick for 20 years.
“I still have some relatives and friends there. They are ok for now, despite shortage of food and bombing they still live in their homes, hiding in bomb-shelters from time to time.”
She too strongly believes a no-fly zone over Ukraine is critical. “The mood is nobody wants to surrender to the Russian invaders,” said Ganich.
“People are ready to fight for their homes and independent Ukraine. I send them money to help to survive.
“I think Putin always wanted to be the Tsar in his own country, but independent successful Ukraine – with its free election system and European direction – always piss him off.
“After his invasion of Chechnya, Osetiya, Abhasia, Georgia and Crimea over the years, Putin did not have any consequences, his ambitions grew to the level where he decides he can do whatever he wants.
“Somebody has to stop him otherwise he would never stop if each invasion will be unpunished. Ukraine has the courage to takes this role, to sacrifice herself to stop him from future provocation and an invasion of Baltics, Poland or whatever country he wants.
“All countries have to help Ukraine to stop Putin and show him his place.”
