‘The day Russia invaded my homeland and stole my life’
She joined the mass of refugees fleeing Kharkiv when the city came under bombardment. Here, in an emotional letter, student Tanya Bashtova recounts her personal experience of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and her escape to a peaceful haven in Blairgowrie. Grateful Tanya is urging further support from generous Scots for the Tayside and Strathearn Help for Ukraine group.
Hello , my name is Tanya. I am a 21-year-old Ukrainian and I want to tell you a little about my recent experience and why I would like you to support this auction.
I lived with my family in the beautiful city of Kharkiv. We call our Kharkiv “The City of Students ”because of all the universities and colleges with students from all over the world.
I was studying at university, meeting friends and making plans until 5am on February 24 when Russia invaded my homeland and stole my life.
After 10 days of constant shelling and food shortages, I decided to leave.
With just a small case I spent three hours on a freezing platform waiting for a special evacuation train.
The train was so overcrowded that people had to throw away what few items they’d brought with them to make room.
The piles of discarded cases of peoples’ treasured possessions grew as each train departed.
It was the first time I had seen my dad crying.
The packed train took 26 hours to reach Lviv, over 1,000 kilometres west of Kharkiv. We were so grateful for the help of the local people and the support sent from other countries when we arrived.
My family has been broken into pieces. My elderly grandmother, mother, ten-year old sister and I travelled on to a small town in Slovakia where we were able to get a room for us to share. My father remained in Kharkiv.
My mother’s parents were in Russian occupied territory, and we could not contact them or even know if they are alive. Mercifully they have now been liberated. My friend was killed, he was only 22.
Thousands of Ukrainians have been murdered and maimed, children have been killed or orphaned and millions have lost their homes. That’s the “Russian world”.
Fortunately, now I’m in Scotland where I have met great people who treat me like part of their family.
I couldn’t even imagine that there are so many kind people in the world.
I believe that one day I can return to my beautiful and modern Kharkiv, in an independent and strong Ukraine.
My traumatic experience is shared by millions of Ukrainians.
What gives us hope is the overwhelming generosity and support we have received from many countries including the UK.
We are extremely grateful for all your help. The Tayside and Strathearn Help for Ukraine organisation has worked wonders; volunteers starting from nothing to create an organisation that has sent many truckloads of desperately needed items to where they are needed.
But they still need your help, more money is needed to send more trucks.
So, I ask that you please support this painting auction, all are original works by Ukrainian artists, many from my hometown, all freely donated, so the money raised will enable more urgently needed supplies to be sent to those whose lives have been devastated by Putin’s unprovoked war. Thank you
Tanya Bashtova