Anastasiya Arkhypenko did not want to leave the suburban area of Kyiv until a rocket “landed” near their house. Now she is in Poland, working remotely for Ukraine, while her heart is in Kharkiv, one of the hottest spots in the country. Her parents and friends are there.
At 05:00 in the morning of 24 February, I heard some explosions. It was somewhere in the area of Zhuliany airport, I think, not far from my house. Soon I saw a message from my mum in Kharkiv that the war began.
My mum asked me to pack up my things and leave. We were very anxious, but there was no panic. I tried to stay calm and decide what to do next.
I looked out the window and saw an endless flow of cars. People were leaving on a massive scale. I did not have any wish to join them. I decided to stay. I stayed in touch with my parents all the time because Kharkiv quickly became one of the hottest spots in Ukraine. I was very worried about them.
By the evening of the first day of the war, I was so much stressed that I had no strength to go to the basement for the night, as my neighbours did. I have wonderful neighbours and we all together made the decision about protection of our residential compound. We also hid in the basement all together during the shelling.
I live alone, and on the second night of the war, I was too scared to stay in the apartment. I slept in the basement; no explosions were heard there. The morning was sunny and my night-time fears faded away, but as soon as I returned home, shelling began.
A rocket landed not far from my house. My nervous system could no longer stand it, and I rushed to the railway station. I left for Lviv by an evacuation train. I stayed at my friend’s place for a few days and then moved on.
Now I am in Poland, in Warsaw. I am lucky as I work in an international company. They help me and my colleagues; they provide the accommodation. I work remotely for Ukraine, which I am very happy about, because in this way I can help my country and my colleagues who are still there.
The most difficult days for me were the days when Kharkiv, its central square and other districts of my home city were bombed. My parents and my friends are still there!
Some of them are still there, including my mum and dad. I am very worried when I talk to my mother on the phone and hear explosions. At times like this, I feel especially scared. I am very worried about my cousin and nephew who live in Mariupol. They have been out of touch for a long time now.
I have a deep inner belief that we will win. We are very different from our so-called “brothers”. We are united and we will stand on! Our president is constantly in touch with us. He supports us very much.
As soon as the war is over, I will meet with my family and friends, hug them and tell them in person how much I love them.
