how the war divided a Ukrainian family
Olena Chaplytska can’t talk to her mother. Although they are both Ukrainians, her own mother does not believe Olena when she talks about the war in their country.
The mother, who lives in Crimea, was delighted to hear that Russia had invaded Ukraine.
“I can’t talk to my mother anymore. You won’t believe me, “said Olena, 36.
The Ukrainian woman, who has lived between Malta and Kyiv since Russia annexed her Crimean region of origin eight years ago, said she first stole her country and is now at risk of losing her family.
“They’re trying to tell their relatives the truth about the war. They’re not listening. Maybe because of propaganda.”– Olena Chaplytska
“I was … I think I’m still somehow … I have a mother and a sister. But they live in the Crimea. And, for eight years, they were told awful things by [the Russian] propaganda.
“It simply came to our notice then. We can’t be more of a family. “
She recalled her mother’s reaction to the news of the Russian invasion.
“On February 24, I called my mother to ask her how she was doing and she asked me, ‘What happened?’ and I said that the war had begun. And she said: “So thank God the Russians are defending us from the Ukrainians.” That’s what they’re told. “
Olena said she was heartbroken that her own mother did not believe her and that she was not the only family to be cut in the same way.
Russians in Ukraine burned their passports
“I tried to talk to my mother and tell her what was going on. But she doesn’t believe me. And many Ukrainians have experienced the same problems, “said Olena.
“Parents do not believe their children and children do not believe their parents because of this horrible war.”
Olena also talks about the other side of the story, Russian families living in Ukraine and disagreeing with their country’s actions.
“I know a lot of Russians in Ukraine, they burned their passports. They are trying to tell their relatives the truth about the war. They don’t listen. Maybe because of the propaganda. “
But despite feeling lost to her immediate family, Olena says she has gained an extended one through global support for Ukraine’s fight against the invasion.
“Here in Malta, every Maltese was so supportive. How much people are breaking down, bringing all the other people closer together, ”she said.
Originally from Simferopol, Crimea, Olena last visited Ukraine in September, five months before the invasion, but has been planning a return visit.
“I can’t explain how much I touch countries. Knowing that terrible things are happening in Ukraine … and you don’t know for how long … terrible, “she said.
‘We will host Europeans in our homes during Eurovision’
Olena has one wish and that the Ukrainian people will be able to repay the Maltese and Europeans by hosting them in their country for the Eurovision final next May.
“You know how at Eurovision almost everyone (was) supporting Ukraine. And it was a great victory, “she said.
“And, next year, when we host him, and we certainly will, I want everyone to come and stay with us for free, just as the Ukrainians have been welcomed.
“We feed them, let them live in our homes and show them who we are. I wish we could do that. “
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