Tired But Not Exhausted: A View From the Ground in Ukraine
Russia鈥檚 full scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, created, among other things, Europe鈥檚 largest displacement crisis since World War II. In early February 2024, 星空传媒 Center President and CEO, Ambassador Mark Andrew Green, joined an 8-day trip led by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to learn more about its work distributing critical humanitarian assistance and kick-starting early recovery efforts across Ukraine and its neighboring countries.
A Digest of the UNHCR Trip
Bombed Building in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
These past two years, Putin has been trying his best to break Ukrainians鈥 spirit and test Western resolve.
On the Ground in Ukraine
Led by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, I traveled to Ukraine to see for myself how Ukrainians are faring on the ground.
Odesa, Pearl of the Black Sea
We first stopped in Odesa鈥 鈥渢he pearl of the Black sea鈥濃攚here we met with Governor Oleh Kiper, Head of Odesa Oblast State Administration, and saw the city鈥檚 historic sites standing proudly.
Russia's Efforts to Destroy
We also saw firsthand Russia鈥檚 efforts to destroy Odesa and other cultural treasures.
Serhii Beresnev, resident of Kryvyi Rih, Lost His Home in a Missile Strike
Throughout Ukraine, Russia is targeting civilians without warning. Serhii Beresnev, resident of Kryvyi Rih, lost his home in a missile strike this January. 鈥淚 was at my house when the shelling happened. [鈥 I tried to hide in the restroom and one of the doors hurt my leg. I was injured. It鈥檚 a miracle that I am alive.鈥
Natalia Motailo Is Resolved to Rebuild Her Home
Fellow resident Natalia Motailo is resolved to rebuild her home. 鈥淚 lived at this house almost all my life. We repaired it a bit with my husband right before the war. [鈥 The only thing we want is peace, and the house we will rebuild, that鈥檚 for sure. This is my home, it was the home of my grandmother.鈥
Governor Oleskandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Oblast State Administration
Traveling east, our delegation spoke with Governor Oleskandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Oblast State Administration. In the face of a prolonged conflict, he remained optimistic: 鈥淜herson is a strong region. Our people are unbreakable, so we will get through this.鈥
Protecting Children While They Learn
I was struck by Ukrainians鈥 resourcefulness in adapting to life along the front lines. In Kharkiv, I visited a school sheltered within a metro station鈥攌eeping children safe while they learned. Above is a drawing from one of the students.
Memorial in Bucha
I was also moved by the grave human cost of this war. This memorial in Bucha honors over 500 civilians killed in the war鈥檚 early days鈥 Ukrainians who can no longer speak for themselves continue to speak volumes.
Dedicated UNHCR Team Members
I鈥檓 impressed by the dedication of the UNHCR team and its local partners, who work each and every day to ensure refugees and internally displaced Ukrainians get the support that they need.
Tired of War, But Not Exhausted
This was a frequent refrain I heard on the ground. Ukrainians may be 鈥渢ired鈥 of the war鈥攂ut they are certainly 鈥渘ot exhausted.鈥
Photo Gallery
Ukrainians are following the debates in Washington, DC, as though their freedom depended on the outcome鈥攁s is Putin.
Amb. Mark A. Green, President & CEO, 星空传媒 Center