Recent Ukraine-War Travels

Yes, Ukraine is still at War, and Yes I travelled there.

Yes, that title reads right. I recently travelled to an active war zone, to the capital city - Kyiv and I’m back to tell my tale. This trip was my first experience travelling to an active war zone, and it involved all forms of travel to get there. First, we flew to Poland, hopped in a car to cross the border into Ukraine, and then took a train from Lviv to the capital, Kyiv. I recall the ease of my first trip (in 2017), simply taking a plane to the nearest airport in Kyiv. Alas, ru**ia has inflicted this hideous war against Ukraine, and the skies are no longer safe.

Ukraine is a beautiful country; it is my motherland, the land of my ancestors and culture. Being a Ukrainian-Canadian second-generation, I grew up with my culture very much intertwined with and embedded in my daily life. Whether that meant going to Ukrainian school (encompassing language, culture, history and geography classes - all of them in Ukrainian), going to weekly Ukrainian dance classes, or attending my regular weekly Ukrainian scouting meetings, you could say I was the second-generation Ukrainian poster child.

Reflecting on Past Ukraine travels

So travelling back to Ukraine, after being away for 9 years, was liberating. It just felt right. It felt like home. Although my home in Canada doesn’t have a moment of silence at 9 AM nor air raid sirens for incoming ballistic attacks.

Ukrainians Resilience in the midst of war

There’s something to be said for Ukrainians’ resilience and for the different way war fatigue has impacted those living there. When the air raid sirens go off, no one moves - that is, if it’s a ballistic or drone attack. Ukraine’s air defence system has its capabilities of fending off the drone missiles with its anti-drone methods, but for ballistic missiles, it's a game of chance. And in an active war zone, you see its citizens take those chances.

I, like every other Ukrainian, want this war to be over. I want Ukraine to be a safe place to return to, for tourists to visit, and for them to experience her beauty in all its forms. Whether you travel to the main cities, the Carpathian Mountains, or the sea, there is always beauty around you. The buildings are historic, with beautiful architecture, dating back to before Canada was even a thought. The people are so fashionable, dressed in colours that are all in line with the latest trends. And the food is so fresh and delicious. There is truly so much life in the midst of an active war zone.

FAQ’s

What can Canadians do to help Ukraine win the war?

Donate! Funding anti-drone missiles is key at this point! They need the funding - and a donation link is coming soon- to help build more at scale to protect the skies.

How did you feel safe to walk in the streets?

Honestly, we went at a very calm time. As much as I want to go back, and in the first place didn’t want to leave, we were there at a time when other dignitaries and presidents were too (saw PM Andy Burnham on his first international visit). Meaning if ru**ia truly wanted a global world war 3 - which isn’t their objective- they left Ukraine to be safe. We were scared when the first air raid siren went off, and it gave away our tourists' signal, as we were the first people to take shelter. Every day, Ukrainians learn to cope with this constant threat and know when to act accordingly.

How did you stay safe? How did you know when to take shelter?

In Ukraine, volunteers send messages on secure platforms that inform citizens about the types of air attacks occurring, giving them a warning to act accordingly. We monitored these channels and always knew where the nearest underground shelter was.

In conclusion..

I would go back in a heartbeat. Just like that. Death to putin and all the oligarchs that are funding this war! May peace be restored to Ukraine so that its children can return peacefully, and may the people there be protected against the terrible aggressor. Ukraine is a beautiful country; it is my homeland, and may there come a day when no more blood is shed, and ru**ia leaves us be free and sovereign. May all power and will continue to be bestowed on President Zelenskyy and his efforts prevail.

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