Interview

TWO YEARS OF FREEDOM The second anniversary of the Russian invasion: how the lives of the military and politicians have changed

For two years now, we have been resisting the enemy’s full-scale invasion. In total, the Russian-Ukrainian war has been going on for 10 years in a row. On the threshold of the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, prominent politicians and military officers expressed their thoughts and reflections on the impact of the war on their lives in blitz interviews with as part of the special project Ukraine on Fire: Non-Fictional Stories.

In the context of the events that have unfolded over the past two years, these short but rich comments are not only a striking reflection of personal experience, but also evidence of how the war has affected various areas of society. They cover a wide spectrum from personal emotions to professional and socio-cultural aspects.

Politicians view the war as a catastrophic test for the country, while the military, in turn, share their impressions of active participation in the defence of the country, trying to preserve the spirit of national unity in the face of hostilities.

Heorhii Mazurashu

The first question is: if it weren’t for the war, I would never…?

I could never have imagined that among the people who really influence decision-making in our country, the commitment to the “slave philosophy”, the philosophy of serfdom, is so strong and deep.

The second question is: during the full-scale campaign, for the first time…?

For the first time, I felt the results of when the leaders of different countries simultaneously go beyond common sense.

Third question: when the war is over, will I allow myself to …?

I will allow myself to sleep well, if I have time.

Mykhailo Tsymbaliuk

The first question: if it wasn’t for the war, I would never…?

I would never have stayed in this Parliament.

Second question: during the full-scale war, I first … ?

It was the first time I thought about the future of my family and the future of our country as a European state.

Third question: when the war is over, will I allow myself to …?

I will finally allow myself to resign, to go on holiday to Crimea, to Yalta.

Larysa Bilozir

The first question is: if it weren’t for the war, I would never…?

I would never have devoted so much time and effort to my work at the PACE Assembly. I even wanted to leave this assembly before the war, but I changed my mind. I really would never have worked so much in the international arena, because I am a majoritarian and my voters see me more in Vinnytsia region than abroad.

Thesecond question: during the full-scale campaign, was it the first time I…?

I became a mother for the third time.

Third question: when the war is over, will I allow myself to …?

To have a rest.

Yegor Chernev

The first question: if it wasn’t for the war, I would never…?

I would never have known how cool our people are. The full-scale invasion really showed the Ukrainian people, who were already cool before.

The second question: during the full-scale war, I first …?

It was the first time I learnt to look for weapons around the world.

Third question: when the war is over, will I allow myself to …?

To open a bottle of champagne with friends from European parliaments who have helped us and are still helping us.

Fedir Venislavskyi

The first question is: if it weren’t for the war, I would never…?

I would never have joined the defence technology industry.

Second question: during the full-scale war, I first … ?

For the first time, I participated in military operations in which I had not previously participated.

Third question: when the war is over, will I allow myself to …?

I will allow my family to have a month-long holiday somewhere beautiful, where we will like it.

Myroslav Hai

The first question is: if it wasn’t for the war, I would never…?

I would not read the Katsap news

Second question: during the full-scale war, I first …?

For the first time I felt the results of the effective use of the Ukrainian Bohdan system on the contact line and, in particular, in the operation on Zmiinyi Island, when the island was liberated for the first time and we hit Russian military targets with the Bohdan system. And secondly, when the Bohdana was finally put into mass production after many years of obstacles, and now we have divisions fighting at the front.

The third question is: when the war is over, will I be able to afford…?

To leave Ukraine to travel, finally.

Viktor Taran

The first question: if it wasn’t for the war, I would never…?

I did not understand how to be afraid.

Second question: during the full-scale war, I first … ?

I learnt to fly for the first time.

Third question: when the war is over, will I allow myself to …?

For the first time in my life, I will allow myself to go on holiday with my family for at least six months or to travel around the world.

Serhii Stakhovsky

The first question is: if it wasn’t for the war, I would never … ?

I would never have fired a mortar or flown an FPV.

Second question: during the full-scale war, I first … ?

It was the first time I came under fire.

Third question: when the war is over, will I allow myself to …?

I will be able to live in peace in the vineyards and grow grapes.

Ruslan, call sign “Hutsul“

The first question is: if it wasn’t for the war, I would never … ?

I would not have gone to war, my family would not have been broken up, I would have been healthy, my brother would not have died, Ukraine would have been intact, not broken and stolen.

The second question: during the full-scale war, for the first time…?

I saw people united, I saw real people – what real Ukrainians are and what collaborators are.

The third question: when the war is over, will I allow myself to…?

Gather with friends and family, go fishing and relax.

Author: Iryna Shevchenko