Vents MagaZine Music and Entertainment Magazine
Related Articles
In early February, the US warned of an imminent Russian invasion. Russia denied the claims. Many
Ukrainians saw no sensible reason behind a Russian attack. So, they brushed it aside and kept living their
lives, only to realize later that they were wrong and the US was right.
On February 24th,2022, Russia invaded Ukraine and unleashed chaos. What followed were a series of
gruesome deaths, one of the worse refugee crises, and the destruction of government and residential
properties. No one was spared not even children or the family of Linda Athanasiadou, a Ukrainian who
shared the experience of her family with us.
How it happened
The first batch of ballistic and cruise missiles sent by Russia wreaked havoc on several Ukrainian cities.
Sadly, Linda’s family semi-detached bungalow was hit by a Kh-55 cruise missile.
The Russian cruise missile ripped off her roof, creating a huge hole on one side of her house. Luckily, her
family was away at the time the missile struck. But while they were lucky, their little dog, Danylo, and
cat, Ivan, weren’t. They died in the blast.
Surviving the War
The missile that struck Linda Athanasiadou’s home and set off several air raid sirens across several cities
in Ukraine was a reality check for many Ukrainians. At this point, her family had one single goal: survival.
Before the Russian invasion, Ukranians had never experienced a war, so survival wasn’t easy—but they
had no choice. Leaving their homes, Linda’s family and many others had to relocate to an underground
bunker as Russia continued its unprovoked aggression. They stayed there for a few days hoping and
praying that she would wake up from what all people considered a nightmare.
Helping those in need
The war displaced many Ukrainians, including Linda’s friends. When the war got to its apogee, Linda
made plans to relocate her family to save their life.
With the help of her relatives, she was able to relocate her family to another country along with a few
friends and family members. As expected, relocation wasn’t easy due to the ongoing war. Linda sourced
aid from individuals and NGOs and sent them to Ukraine to help those still trapped.
The way forward?
The basis of the Russian invasion is illogical and idiotic. They invaded a peaceful nation without
provocation, maiming, raping, killing, and destroying what they had built for years.
As far as the war is concerned, the way forward would be to resist any attempt to take over Ukraine’s
lands by the Russian forces over a useless Nazi pretext. And while the Ukrainians continue to hold their
ground, thanks to the West’s military assistance and the grit of their armed forces, we plead to
international communities to come to their aid.
Like other displaced Ukrainians, Linda Athanasiadou hopes to return home with her family and friends
when this is all over. She also hopes that the aggressors, whom she dislikes, are punished thoroughly for
their war crimes. Until then, the people of Ukraine must stand strong even as the world stands strong
with them. In the end, this, too, shall pass.
By Linda Athanasiadou
