HIS.TORY RE·PEAT·ING Vladyslave Tereshchuk

Since February 2022, according to social media data and engagement, ninety per cent of the world "are with Ukraine". The conventional newsagents and bulletin boards are repeating what other networks are broadcasting. In other words, the viewers do not have the slightest idea of what they are "with" other than the sympathy they have for the victims of the callous acts of the invaders.

If you, the reader, were to ask a Ukrainian why the Russians are showing their barbaric side? A patriotic Ukrainian will inform you about the Ukrainian and Russian storied history.

Does the world know the history between the two countries were essentially the same country under the Soviet Union?

We, the Worth Journey, in our quest for relevant stories that are facts, asked a list of questions directed at a Ukraine patriot by the name of Vladyslav Tereshchuk.

The first initial engagement with Director Vlady was based on his film "Live" 8 months after the initial invasion of Ukraine. It is fair to write that I wasn't prepared for further questions as I did not know more than what I had read via reputable news sources. Plus, I did not want to pry into any other country's business or affairs if I did not know the complete history.

Now that the world has inherited the war in Ukraine as part of the Western world's new problem, we (WJ), considered the subject and its sensitive nature.

When (WJ) reminded him that before the start of the war, based on news sources and videos, it seemed as if Ukrainian citizens were not concerned about a potential war.

Vlady explains in detail what the experience is like while living in a time of war from within the war.

He points out the love that his fellow Ukrainians have for one another and their country.

Vlady was direct to the point in his response;

"Yes, you are right, Ukrainians at large did not feel that the war was coming. I can only speak for myself. I have been interested in history in general, especially my country's history, since my childhood." (brief pause).

"Hopefully, some people will research Ukrainian history. The majority of our history is about war and rebellion for our independence."

"Once people are aware of our history, then perhaps the propaganda that has been told by the invaders will change. I studied the Ukrainian rebels of the past so naturally, I felt that at a certain point in my life, our history would repeat itself. This is not a new problem. We are talking about a hundred years of constantly defending our independence."

"There were the same patterns decades ago against our independence as there were leading up to the war since February 2022."

Vlady continued to emphasize: "Those of us who paid attention to the pattern of the past could feel that another war was imminent. This time there will be no surrender."

"When the act of war happened in Crimea and Donbas in February 2022, any sensible person knew that the Russians would not stop. How could they? They threw the first stone as an act of war. There were also Russian agents here, and judging by what they were doing, one could see they had plans for an invasion."

"Because I always kept up with the current events of my country, I thought there would be an invasion in the late spring or early summer of 2021. The Russians were positioning their troops along our borders while explaining such actions as training. How could you ignore that? There was nothing we could do at the time."

"Russia has a large land mass, yet they surrounded our borders as part of their training exercise. Ha ha! They were positioning themselves for an invasion eight or nine months later."

"I had predicted that there would be a fullblown invasion in 2023 or even in 2024, which would have been during our election time. The Russians were faster and more confident than any of us predicted."

"Most people do not study their history until it is too late. They may learn about history in school, but do they study their history?"

"The world knows that history will repeat itself if certain parts are ignored. It is what the victorious ones want. They can tell their side of the story and alter vital details of what happened and why it occurred. We tend to overlook the patterns leading up to conflicts or domination of the people. History is an experience of the time past written by those who were a part of it."

In awe of Vlady's acknowledgement of utilizing patterns of history, WJ politely asked to give an example:

"It has not been a thousand years ago since Soviet rule."

"When a child touches the blade of a knife, they cry from the pain as the blood pours out of the skin. That child remembers the experience as if there is a scar to remind them. We have a history of conflict with the Russians. How could we have trusted the Russians in the first place when we have witnessed certain acts that surrounded our borders for years?"

"Now that the wolf has entered through the door of our home (our country), we are either fighting to protect our home or taking advantage of leaving by running for cover."

"I choose to stay and protect my country and will never leave. I prefer to die than live under Russian control. I know I am not the only one that feels that way."

(WJ): How did you adjust to the war?

"Normally you can predict certain things and prepare for the outcome. With the Russians, you would have thought our prediction would have prepared us for defence. Who knows what the enemy will do next based on their barbaric acts since the war started?"

"I am an artist, and film director, so my lifestyle differs from someone who works nine to five. I am not better than they are, but the view of my country and the world is different. Who knows when and how, but we will continue to defend our land. We have to accept reality and maintain our defence."

(WJ): What are your genuine thoughts on the West since the war?

"We have always felt a part of the West. I had always felt a part of Europe. I never felt that Ukraine was a part of Asia or Russia."

"I am happy that the West is helping Ukraine. Without their help or involvement in terms of military equipment, I do not think we would be able to stop the Russians."

"I had dreamed that Ukraine would become a part of the European Union. We are hard workers, but we could never be a part of slavery in Russia."

"We are a Western family based on our ideology. If we do not stick together the Russians will continue west with their invasion. It is modern fascism, yet they call us Nazis."

Through Vlad's omission, Ukrainians are welcomed everywhere because of the war.

One factor was the favouritism towards Ukrainians regarding immigration. They have managed to migrate with little due process everywhere while refugees of war-torn countries are deported to Rwanda (United Kingdom).

(WJ) also wanted to know if this was true regarding the foreigners' exit treatment at the start of this war. In this case, foreigners mean non-white (Arabs, Africans).

(WJ): Ninety-nine per cent of all major media outlets have neglected this subject.

"The acceptance of Ukrainians in other countries makes us all feel good. It shows what the world thinks of us."

(WJ): Some of us think it is because you are white or Aryan.

"I live close to a medical university that has nationalities from everywhere. The negative press is more or less a propaganda statement from the Russian Government."

February 2022

What about the reports supported by photos and videos where the African and Arab students were not allowed to leave when the bombing happened until the Ukrainians were safe?

We have racism here, just like other countries in the West, but I am sure our numbers are much smaller than in most countries. Did you know we have someone not of the white race or non-Ukrainian in our Parliament?

Ok, but it is duly noted that you don’t want to speak about equal immigration policies. You guys do have an advantage that all Latino, African and Arab countries don’t have. You are white so you are trusted before anyone else. If you don’t want to answer it is ok.

No answer>

And rightfully so. Valdy should not have to explain.

How are you adjusting or surviving?

"On December 31st, New Year's Eve, when the rest of the world was celebrating with firecrackers, we were being celebrated with Russian drones and rockets. Now we celebrate each day as if it is a new year."

"Then there were the blackouts and shortage of water in the debt of the winter. But to us, these are short-lived adversities."

"We created our lights during the blackouts with generators and temporary makeshift generators. We found a way to collect water for drinking, water that we use to clean clothes and water we would use for the bathroom."

"The hardest part for us during the blackouts is when we have nothing to do."

"Since the war started I have kept a diary. I have even managed somehow to direct a short film. It is a short film but somehow I did it."

"These days through the experience of this atrocity, I try to write about love and pain."

"The love part is easy because it releases the pain. We try to think about good things in life that we had taken for granted in the past. However, the pain, unfortunately, comes in the form of hate."

When you see a fellow citizen that was living their life in peace, then suddenly suffering, dying or lying dead due to an enemy rocket, it is hard not to hate the Russians."

What about your social life and the regulations at night during this time?

"The soldiers patrol the streets at night as there is a curfew, so no one is allowed at night. Besides, during this time, no one wants to go out at night. Although I do miss the freedom."

"Everyone understands that this is a time for safety and structure."