This interview was taken via WhatsApp Video Chat on October 6, 2023.
Andrii provided all answers orally and was live translated by my friend and colleague Dmytro Nykyforov, operator of War Tours Ukraine, linked here.
Slight variations exist between interviews and the questions asked. This is due to the different levels of English fluency among interviewees, to provide them as much clarity as possible.
#1. Where were you when Russia invaded in 2022?
He was at work [as a legal professional] because he was on duty. In the morning (5:00) [is when] he saw the first rockets were falling on the city. In the prosecutor’s office, he had to be on the phone the entire time and if something happened he had to notify his boss.
In that period of time, he worked and was on duty because they were warned that something may happen. He also had to notify his colleagues if something happened and if it did he would have to notify the prosecutor`s offices. It was very important because all of the legal documents would have to be relocated.
#2. Can you describe how you felt? What were those first few days like for you?
Yes, of course he was very scared.
He was on the second floor of their building and was staring at the explosions. It felt like an earthquake. The rockets were heading in the direction of military targets.
#3. Did you have to leave Ukraine at any point? What was your journey like? How long did it take? Bus or train?
He decided to leave and to go to Kherson. However, he returned in about 4 hours because his village was on the opposite side of the bank and was no longer safe.
His parents were still living in the village.
#4. Are you married and/or have any children?
[He is] not married and does not have any children.
#5. What did you think your life would be like now, 2 years ago?
Stable. He planned to relocate to Kherson, to work in the prosecutor’s office, and to buy a flat there.
#6. How do you see your life going forward from here?
Of course his plans are different. Everything changed and he still works at the prosecutor’s office, but they often change their offices and locations. It is difficult to plan for the future because he does not know where he will be next. He does not get to choose. It is a relocation chosen by the head of his office.
#7. How do you feel about other countries` support of Ukraine? Do they do enough?
In his opinion there is support but it is still not enough to liberate areas and bring Russians back to their previous positions.
#8. What do you want people from outside Ukraine to know about life here now?
He wants the war to end and wants all Ukrainians to be able to return to their homes because they do not have a good life outside of the country. It is important to return to their previous lives and to get their land back.
His parents and family had a nice life in their village and had everything to live as normal people but, they had to leave and move to Poland. They are working as cleaners and their lives are very difficult. They have been there for 1.5 years because of the war.
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