War In Ukraine: A View From The Inside

MIKHAIL GERSHTEYN

On February 24, 2022, everything turned upside down for tens of millions of people. Russia attacked Ukraine! A full-scale invasion!

Being born a Ukrainian Jew, married to a Ukrainian woman, and having many Ukrainian friends and family in Ukraine, we were all shocked, angry, upset, and most of all, deeply concerned for the future.

On the first day of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I began posting on Facebook and other social networks to ensure that people were informed about the war and did not forget it or think it was over. I realized that to continue telling the story, I needed to see it all with my own eyes. Taking a vacation from work, I flew to Ukraine on November 7, 2022.

Flying from upstate New York over the ocean to Warsaw, then traveling by bus across the border to Ukraine, and by car from Lviv in the west to the Mykolaiv region near the Black Sea, my journey took almost two days!

Throughout my travels, I visited friends in Mykolaiv and Kviv, witnessing how they remodeled their basements into bomb shelters. I lived through at least two major Russian air strikes on Ukraine and witnessed an attempt by the Russians to shell our group of international journalists on the way from just-liberated Kherson, where we met President Volodymyr Zelensky. I visited nearly destroyed cities near Lviv, where most buildings were burned by Russian shelling and apartments were abandoned. The nights were so cold that I slept fully clothed under a couple of covers, thinking about my warm apartment back home in upstate New York. After a short time, I got used to not having electricity or cellphone reception.

But the most important part of my journey was meeting with people and volunteers who were giving their all to ensure the Ukrainian army and those suffering from the war received the help they needed.

After a month of travels, I left my homeland, Ukraine, and returned to my home in America with a heavy heart and many thoughts. I understand that since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many are tired of hearing about the war, forgetting that Ukraine has become a shield not just for Europe but for democracy itself. The war is far from over, and Ukraine still needs any help this brave nation and its people can get. The destruction I witnessed and the stories I heard from people fighting on the front lines or helping from home lingered in my mind as I returned to the comfort of my American home from the war zone my homeland has become.

What is war? What is the purpose of war in the 21st century? Hundreds, even thousands of years ago, wars were thought to advance the world’s economic growth, with death and destruction as byproducts. In the 21st century, wars still bring death and destruction to humanity and our planet.

Ukraine, a country 28 times smaller than the invader, the Russian Empire, is in danger of being totally destroyed. But no matter what, Ukraine will win this war! After all, no one can defeat a free-born nation!

Is there a winner to be claimed in this war? Have there ever been winners in all the wars mankind has known? Thousands of people are now dead. Thousands are wounded, with injuries that will last for years and even generations.

It may take years to rebuild and heal, but is it at all possible to heal the wounds of this war? Lost lives, destroyed homes, cities, villages, and the care needed for those wounded from mines and missile strikes.

At some point, this unjust war of Russia against Ukraine will be over. Historically, throughout the centuries, the Ukrainian people have always prevailed and survived.

What is next for the world and the rest of mankind?

When will we learn the hardest lesson of all time: every time humans fight, intent on humiliating or conquering what is not theirs, they are not just killing each other; they are destroying the future of this planet and the future of our children.

What is next, not just for us but for the future? Will our children have a future while we continue to kill each other? Will this planet survive the madness of mankind?

Mikhail Gershteyn is a Senior Operations Technician at WXXITV in Rochester, NY. He is an independent, multi award-winning filmmaker. His film about the war in Ukraine was chosen to be viewed at the Toronto Film Festival. Please help Mikhail support the relief efforts in Ukraine as they persist in their fight against Russia and then heal and rebuild in this war’s aftermath.

Mikhail is currently running a GoFundMe to finish his documentary about the plight of the Ukrainian people since the invasion by Russia. If you would like to help get his message out, please visit this link.

To watch a trailer of Mikhail’s documentary, please click here: WAR IN UKRAINE: A VIEW FROM INSIDE_PREVIEW on Vimeo