Viktoria sent us a moving report from Vinnitsa. She describes the life of the inhabitants under bombardment and her work as a volunteer translator of the Red Cross. We quote her in extensive sections:
At 5 o’clock in the morning on 24 February, I did not yet believe that the war had started. At six we started packing the necessary things, just in case. We were not in a hurry. Nobody knew what would happen a few hours later. Already between 8 and 9 o’clock in the morning we heard a very loud explosion, as if under our window, but it turned out that they had hit the ammunition depot in Kalinówka, 20 kilometers away. Sirens wailed in the city. From that moment on, life has changed, we started to think how to save ourselves, where and how to go, and if it was worth it. I hardly remember the first two days. We did not sleep, we woke up every hour and a half to the sound of anti-aircraft alarm sirens. My sister, who is 10 years old, was terribly afraid. I assured her that she was safe, that nothing would happen, and she asked me, "if it is so safe, why are your hands shaking?" I realized I did not control my body... - Viktoria describes the first moments after the Russian invasion.
To run away or not to run away?
Viktoria's family decided not to leave for Poland. For various reasons: firstly - it was hard to believe that what has started was really happening, and secondly - Victoria's parents do not have a car that could withstand such a long journey. There were traffic jams on the roads, there was a shortage of gasoline. They were also afraid for their home, for their relatives who decided to stay...
Relatives from Mariupol called, my aunt was sobbing. She asked us to host her with the children at our place. Of course we did not refuse. Our neighbours left in a hurry, they left the house open, and a thin grey cat in it – we took the cat and now it is with us. I am angry because I do not understand how they could have left their pet. It was also terrible for the cat, it was completely alone for almost two days, until we heard it meowing – the student is outraged.
All the time Viktoria's thoughts go to Lodz, to the University, to English Studies. It is understandable: the third year, final semester, bachelor's degree, it is a pity... But there are more important things.
The war in Ukraine
Viktoria: I have decided to stay here and help as much as I can. It is hard to say if I am doing a lot of good for Ukraine and if I am brave. I am trying, but I admit that sometimes I have doubts as to whether I could do more. I always remember my grandmother, who used to tell me about the war, about a German tank in our backyard. She would not understand if we left now. She would never forgive us...
According to Viktoria, it is clear that the Nation of Ukraine has started to believe in its strength and in its citizens. Her boyfriend tried to join the territorial defence unit, but they did not accept him – there were too many volunteers, there was a line of volunteers even before the opening. Nobody avoids the service, everyone volunteers.
However, the war turns the lives of citizens of Ukraine upside down. It sneaks everywhere where normal life has been going before.
My mother, who rented an office in a basement in the city centre, made it at the disposal of the Red Cross, although she was very worried and cried because she was giving away her business, her vocal study, which she had been creating for 15 years, her soul and heart... She left all the equipment there – speakers, microphones, there was no time to take it. On the other hand, we are not sure if it would be safe to keep it all at home. It is not known what we should be more afraid of: bombs or marauders robbing people's belongings.
The translator from English studies at the University of Lodz
At the Red Cross office, they were looking for an interpreter for volunteers coming from Great Britain and America who understand neither Russian nor Ukrainian, so Viktoria volunteered without hesitation. Now she is writing about her experiences and the benefits of the knowledge she has gained for three years while studying at the Faculty of Philology of the University of Lodz:
I am so happy that my skills can be useful and I am grateful to every lecturer with whom I had English classes in Lodz. I have made it! Now, here I am passing the best exam you can imagine – the life exam. It is great that I can call Poland in relation to various matters and speak Polish, I can communicate with a British girl calmly in English – this is freedom, this is the meaning of our studies at the Faculty of Philology at the University of Lodz. I have learned a lot of new vocabulary due to the current situation. I try to look for the good sides of what I do. I believe the war will end and my knowledge of foreign languages will be even better.
In the first half of the day, I usually do not plan anything, I am at the Red Cross's disposal. I wait for a call to help with translations, which is always an honour for me. I have online classes at the university, so far I have not managed to take part only in two lessons. As long as there is a connection, I will try to study online. It is very important to me – I would like to thank for help all teachers who understand this. I am extremely grateful to them.
Everyone fights as they can
Today, more than 800 volunteer translators from various cities of Ukraine are cooperating, translating petitions, news, videos into different languages, and then sending them to international media. We are also fighting an information war where we have to fight not with weapons but with words. Everyone helps as they can, those who know the languages – explain things, those who play sports – help physically, students weave camouflage nets, grandmothers – make dumplings (not Russian but Ukrainian!) for soldiers and representatives of the territorial defence. Today (6 March) we are saying goodbye to a friend who got married six months ago. Now he has been mobilized for a year. It is difficult, it is very difficult even to write about it...
But do not give up, we believe in a better tomorrow. I hope that this nightmare will end soon. That we will return to normal, that I will complete my studies in Lodz, that we will go to the seaside with my family and everything will be as it used to be. It cannot be any other way! – Viktoria Ptashynska ends her talk, thanking the Poles for the support they give to the fighting Ukraine and its inhabitants fleeing the war.
Edit: Promotion Centre of the University of Lodz