‘It’s horror, it really hurts and we panic so much’ – organiser of Teesside protest
A UKRAINIAN woman living on Teesside has spoken of the panic of having her elderly mum trapped in war-torn Ukraine.
Mariya Ptashnyk, who has lived in Stockton for 18 years, said her 72-year-old mum is making hourly phone calls to keep her updated on the everchanging situation since Thursday’s shock invasion by Russia.
Originally from the Lviv region of Ukraine, Mariya spoke through tears at a demonstration she helped to organise, in Middlesbrough’s Centre Square.
She said: “I’ve spoken to my 72-year-old mum every day, she updates me every hour as the situation constantly changes.
“Even though it’s dangerous she doesn’t want to move, she’s lived there her whole life and she has everything she ever worked for.
“I never expected that this would happen to Ukraine, this peaceful people and beautiful country has been destroyed in two days. It’s horror, it really hurts and we panic so much.”
Mariya spoke of the bravery of her country’s people, from President Volodymyr Zelensky to locals taking up arms to protect their nation.
“I believe that if they don’t take over Kyiv by today (Saturday) then they will never take Ukraine, Kyiv survived on Friday night and I stayed awake to watch all through the night.”
“I’m so proud to be Ukrainian, our president is fighting on the streets with everyone else.
“This morning he recorded a speech saying ‘good morning Ukraine, we are still with you and we are still in Kyiv’, I was crying because I can’t explain how amazing the people of my country are through all this.
“The famous boxer Vitali Klitschko (Mayor of Kyiv) is also fighting there with our people, I have also seen a video of an 80-year-old who decided he wanted to fight to protect his family and grandchildren.”
Over 2,800 miles from Kyiv, members of
Teesside’s Ukrainian population and those in the wider community joined forces yesterday afternoon to show support for the country as it is invaded by Russia.
The demonstration was held in Middlesbrough’s centre square, with around 30 people in attendance.
Supportive signs were held aloft, with chants of “no war in Ukraine” and Ukrainian people spoke of their country’s fate while at the demonstration.
Mariya was joined by other members of the Ukrainian community who all took turns to speak to those at the demonstration about the horrors their country is currently experiencing at the hands of Russia. Protesters around the world have voiced their concerns at Putin’s ambitions and pledged their support to the people in Ukraine.
A protest was held outside Downing Street yesterday and Russian citizens in St Petersburg and Moscow have also stood against Putin’s regime – many getting arrested for opposing the invasion.
Olena Davie was also at yesterday’s demo, and she explained that she has a large number of family in Ukraine, specifically in capital city Kyiv.
She said: “I was born in the Poltava region of Ukraine where my mum, aunties and brother still live – the rest of my family all live in Kyiv.
“We’ve kept in touch every day since Thursday, they are all very scared and anxious.
“They go to bed every night with their boots and coats on with suitcases packed in case they have to escape in the middle of the night. If they hear that siren, they have to run.
“They fear night time the most, that’s when the attacks are at their worst and it’s made more frightening by it being in complete darkness. They still can’t believe what’s happening.”
Olena explained that her sister in Kyiv is cut off from the rest of the city and has no electricity or water, she has enough food for a week and she has two small children.
She added: “I’m really emotional to see everyone at the vigil and I’m holding back tears, it’s so overwhelming and I couldn’t believe people actually came out to support us and the people of Ukraine.”
Early on Thursday morning, Russian forces instructed by Vladamir Putin crossed the border into Ukraine and set their sights on capital city Kyiv as a main target.
President’s Putin goal of the offensive is to “demilitarise” Ukraine, which has caused outrage among world leaders and members of the public alike.
In Teesside, members of the public can support Ukraine by donating to relevant charities such as Sunflower of Peace and United to help Ukraine, or they can support the Ukrainian people by attending protests and vigils.