As the third anniversary of Russian’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches on February 24, Catholic Charities of New York sat down with Valentyna, a Ukrainian refugee from Mariupol, to reflect on her experiences and the anniversary.
Valentyna is among the more than 6.5 million refugees who have fled from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a conflict which has triggered the largest refugee exodus in Europe since World War II. Over 500,000 of these Ukrainian refugees have arrived in the United States, and New York State leads the country in welcoming them. Since the beginning of the war, Catholic Charities of New York has supported more than 4,000 Ukrainian refugees like Valentyna.
Can you share about your journey from when the war began to coming to New York?
At four in the morning, we heard explosions from bombs going off. It was a shock. We couldn’t believe the war had started. All the neighbors gathered, trying to figure out what was happening. We knew there were 150,000-200,000 Russian soldiers stationed at the border. We thought they were just there for intimidation—that Russia wouldn’t dare to invade. But on the morning of February 24th, everything changed.
And then hell began. Tanks drove through the streets of Mariupol, shooting at houses, people, and animals. But the most terrifying thing was the planes. They dropped bombs and then came back to check if they had hit their targets. They flew out again to assess the damage and then launched new strikes.
There were bodies everywhere because no one could bury them. The electricity, gas, water, and communication were all knocked out, and we were completely isolated. The city was under siege, bombarded, and surrounded by death. People were jumping from windows—they couldn’t take it anymore.
On August 10, I left Mariupol. My daughter found volunteers who helped me escape with my two cats. We made it to Moscow, where I took a train to Nizhny Novgorod to stay with my older brother, who took care of my cats. Then volunteers helped me reach the border between Belarus and Ukraine, where I crossed the border on foot. After going through all these hardships, I made it to Kyiv, stayed with a friend’s daughter, and took care of my paperwork. After that, I headed to Poland, where a priest put me on a flight, and I arrived in the U.S. on October 10, 2022.
As the anniversary of the war approaches, how do you feel reflecting on everything that has happened over the past three years?
As the anniversary of the war approaches, you can’t help but reflect on the journey you’ve been through. You remember everyone you’ve lost, all those who have died. You recall the horrors you had to endure and the pain that will forever remain inside.
But the most terrifying thing is the realization that the war hasn’t stopped. It continues—it keeps taking lives, destroying futures, and erasing entire cities from the face of the Earth. And the hardest part now is the uncertainty. You hear and you read about possible negotiations, about other countries—not us, not Ukrainians—discussing the fate of our land. You hear about some people considering it possible to give away Ukrainian territory—my city, my home–to those who brought the war there. And that hurts the most.
You’re not just worried about your country—you understand that your home, your history, and your memories could be erased, forgotten, and handed over to foreign hands. And you can never come to terms with that.
What does this anniversary mean to you personally?
With each passing year, with every new anniversary of the war, the hatred for the enemy only grows stronger. It’s impossible to forget, impossible to forgive what they have done to us, to our cities, and to our families. They tried to erase our history and to break us, but instead, they have permanently etched hatred and memory into our blood. We will remember, we will fight, and no one will ever make us forget.
If you could share one message with the world about the resilience of Ukrainian refugees, what would it be?
On my way from Ukraine, I met a woman with five children who had left Ukraine and was heading to Germany, while her husband stayed behind in Ukraine. This woman made a lasting impression on me: she was incredibly strong, organized, and disciplined. Watching her, I felt immense respect and a deep understanding that if someone can manage so many children, not allow themselves to feel discouraged, and keep it all together, she is truly a role model. She became a symbol of the inner strength of a Ukrainian refugee for me.
Can you tell me how you heard about Catholic Charities and what kind of support you’ve received from us?
My daughter told me about Catholic Charities Community Services. She had learned about it earlier from people who shared that the Catholic Charities provides support to refugees. She took me there, and from that moment on, I felt how caring and kind the people were.
They provided me with comprehensive assistance and emotional support. My case manager, Tanya, always calls to check on my well-being, asks how I’m doing, and whether I need anything. Catholic Charities also helped me financially by covering my housing, clothing, and essential household items. I am incredibly grateful to this organization for their care and kindness.
What is one moment of kindness or support you’ve received here that you will never forget?
I will never forget the kindness and support, both financial and emotional, from the people I’ve encountered here in the United States. I am grateful to this country for providing such help to us, the refugees.
Do you have any hopes or dreams for yourself?
There will be victory, and I will be able to return home, Ukraine and Mariupol.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. We count on your support to make services like this possible. You can provide help and create hope. Please make a generous, tax-deductible gift today.
