Still united with Ukraine: ROSTIK ARTIUSHENKOV & ANNA HONCHAROVA

WITH SUNNY DELI OWNERS ROSTIK ARTIUSHENKOV & ANNA HONCHAROVA

Five months into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, some locals are still paying close attention: those with family, friends & colleagues there. Here, qL catches up with those who shared their stories in April’s issue.

Since April, what has happened in Ukraine that has impacted your family and friends?

This is a very big question as everyone we know has been impacted.

Eastern Ukraine is under consistent bombing from the Russian side. Many people lost everything including the lives of relatives. The huge impact is on the Ukrainian agriculture sector as it has been difficult for farmers to do anything, great example could be Rostik’s uncle who was struggling with farming. Rostik’s other uncle is still fighting, and every day his life is in danger.

Have your family and friends left?

Anna’s aunt left Kharkiv in the early days of the war since it was under shelling from the beginning of the war. Some of our friends left Ukraine and moved temporarily to Czech Republic, Austria, and Germany. Under the martial law, men aged 18 to 60 can not leave the country, so some of our friends are staying in Ukraine.

How much time do you spend watching the invasion?

We watch the news on a consistent basis as it became part of our life.

What should the world be paying attention to now, and why?

Ukrainians have proven that they can fight “the second-largest military in the world”. Ukrainians need more modern military equipment that can fire at a distance and modern air defense systems.

It is the war of artillery. Also, Ukrainians need more money to keep defending their territory from Russian aggression because Ukraine is fighting for the world so every country in the world can have the opportunity to choose its future without even thinking of being terrorized.

How are your fundraising efforts so far?

We first want to say thank you to all people who contribute! without your support, we wouldn’t be able to raise as many funds as we did to help Ukraine. We raised about $5k and we gave the money to friends who buy military equipment for territorial defenders and volunteers who are helping the country. Some donations were donated to the farmers so they could buy fuel, and some donations were contributed to the animal rescue centers. It is ongoing and we keep helping people as long as it is needed.