Lithuanian Sports University (LSU) invites people to show solidarity and help those affected by the war in Ukraine.
A month ago, no one could believe that a brutal aggressor would try to invade Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity. Unfortunately, the terrible dreams turned into reality on the morning of 24 February and inevitably changed the fates of the Ukrainian people.
Coaching Systems student Kateryna Diahileva from Ukraine shared her knowledge about what is happening back home and how we can help them during this time.
“I’m from the beautiful city of Kirovograd, which is in the center of Ukraine. Among my relatives, there are still two aunts, two uncles, and a cousin. They all spend the nights in basements. My uncles are going to war very soon, so we will try to take my cousin and her mother to Lithuania and help them this way.
Recently, a friend of my dad’s came to visit us with his family, who brought his wife and daughter from the Donetsk region of Ukraine to Lithuania a few days ago. Psychologically, they are very damaged – just hearing ” war” or “Putin” makes them shake, so we need to calm them down and avoid the subject entirely. We try to help in any way possible, both psychologically and materially.
How do I feel when my country is at war? It’s scary. Most of all, I feel sorry for the innocent people, children, animals, and the President, who is doing everything in his power. It is a shame that there are still people in Ukraine who do not believe in their President because only Unity can save us in this situation.
I still don’t understand why this war is necessary. When my dad says he is going to Ukraine to fight, it is scary even to hear such words. I honestly don’t understand how there can still be such a war in the 21st century. Thank you to everyone who helps!” – said LSU student K. Diahileva.
Meanwhile, Sports and Tourism management student Daryna Antonova said her closest people are still in Ukraine.
“I’m from Kyiv. My parents were there during the time of the first explosions and woke up because of them. First of all, I wanted them to leave as soon as possible, even though they were still planning to work and live on… At the moment, my parents have moved further away from the capital, to the city where I was born. You can hear planes flying around and bombs being dropped nearby, but the city itself is much calmer.
This war is one great tragedy. I cannot watch people die – soldiers, civilians, those waiting in food lines, or people in their homes. Eight years ago, the Russians tried to steal Ukraine’s sovereignty, but things are different now – now everyone is united and ready to fight.
And this situation finally shows the true history of Ukrainians and Russians. These are, have been, and will be completely different countries with different histories, ideas, and goals. God bless that no one ever compares them again.”
We invite members of the LSU community and other Lithuanians to contribute to helping the soldiers fighting in Ukraine and the people living there.
There are several ways to help – in material terms or by providing housing for people fleeing war. You can find all these methods on www.suukraina.lt.
Personal archive photos/left – Kateryna Diahileva, right – Daryna Antonova
