FIGHTING FOR FIGHTING FORpeace,family

The perils of war change one’s entire life in a flash, and amidst the current Russo-Ukrainian war, Miami Palmetto Senior High sophomore Vasyl Romankiv is no stranger to the struggles and sacrifices that accompany it.

Romankiv left his home country of Ukraine in 2014 at the age of seven, saying goodbye to his family as conflict began in Ukrainian territory.

“I actually moved to Miami because my dad got a job offer here. But in Ukraine, the conflict already started, like [the Russian annexation of] Crimea...So our parents decided there were better opportunities here and it’s safer here…it was a little emotional, but I was seven so I didn’t quite understand everything yet,” Romankiv said.

Romankiv had to adapt to the different customs and language in the U.S., which greatly contrasted his previous lifestyle.

“The hardest thing after moving here was the language because I did not speak any English, and the environment in Miami was different because everyone has different social norms,” Romankiv said.

On Feb. 24, 2022, Romankiv heard about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and his parents began to worry about their family in Ukraine.

“I have a cousin that’s in the front lines right now, and my uncle, he’s in reserve and, you know, it’s a little more stressful, more worrisome every single day,” Romankiv said. “I remember the first day when the war started out; I just finished doing my homework, and I saw it on the news, and my friend sent me a screenshot that there was a blast heard in Kyiv. With that, I went to my parents because my uncle lives there, and we got really worried.”

For Vasyl’s family in Ukraine, living through experiences of war has forced them to adjust to a new way of life despite the ongoing nightmare.

“It has not been easy since 2014, when Russia invaded… but the nightmare actually started February 24, 2022. We woke up because of explosions and fled the capital passing by destroyed airports, burned down villages and fire around the capital…terrible experience. A lot of sleepless nights in the hallway of our apartment, which is the safest place at the moment due to constant air alerts, which occur almost daily…with no regard of day or night. We have pillows and blankets in the hallways, it is a usual thing now,” Vasyl’s cousin, Karolina Romankiv said. “We were forced to leave our home…We gladly

Vasyl Romankiv

returned back to Kyiv, but air alerts sound, and we can see rockets through the window almost daily… This is not how I imagined my life.”

Vasyl’s family in Ukraine is unable to leave their home due to the country’s travel ban for adult men. As a result, visitation is not possible for Vasyl and his family.

“We cannot travel with my dad (Vasyl’s uncle, Ihor)... his presence in Ukraine is highly required, and he is not able to leave the country during the war, and is obligated to stay,” Karolina said. “...Vasyl and his brother, Kyrylo Romankiv, are the only cousins I have. We miss them a lot.”

Vasyl puts his efforts towards helping his country in the midst of his family members’ struggles feeling a need to contribute in any way he can.

“I’ve gone to multiple gatherings and events in downtown, and also I do Ukrainian dancing all around Florida…we actually have this yearly event… this year we had like 800-900 people watching… just dancing and showing our culture, and we’re raising awareness,” Vasyl said. “Also, I take a big part in a Ukrainian Catholic Church here in Miami, which supports Ukraine with humanitarian aid and prayers. I attend weekly liturgies and pray for and support Ukraine.”

Vasyl communicates with his family in Ukraine through WhatsApp; however, internet issues and blackouts are common in Ukraine, leaving Vasyl with often no way of knowing if his family is safe.

The war has uprooted Vasyl’s family’s lives and created a huge shift in their lifestyle.

“I dream to wake up every day in my bed and not in a basement or in hallways. No classes spent in the basement with teachers and classmates. No hiding in subways because there are airstrikes while I shop with my mom. I dream one day to wake up and no pillows and blankets in our hallway and no air alert breaking through the night. No more war. Peace, all I am dreaming about. Peace for all,” Karolina said.

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