Ukraine in Pieces: Concern Behind the Red Brick Wall

By Auden Deng ‘16

Published March 2015

Poliakova, her brother Andrew, and little cousin Natasha wearing traditional costumes at a Ukrainian festival.  Photo courtesy of Tetiana Poliakova ‘18

Tetiana Poliakova ’18 had an unforgettable vacation this winter break.  Like many students, she returned home for break. Her home, however, is not across the country or down the street, but a continent away in a war zone—specifically in Zhytomy, a city in the disputed former Soviet territory of the Ukraine.

“It is very sad to see shells falling at my home,” said Poliakova, referring to artillery fire and other munitions.  Poliakova couldn’t have anticipated this turn of events when she completed her last years of high school in Pennsylvania through an exchange program. However, in February of last year, Ukraine’s pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych was driven from office by a wave of popular unrest. In the months that followed, violence erupted between Ukrainian nationalists and pro-Russian factions, and Russia eventually annexed the Crimea region in March 2014.

Fighting in the Ukraine continues to this day, and this is the situation Poliakova found herself in when she arrived home in December. “Now everyone saves money for everything they need. Things have become more expensive than before the war happening,” said Poliakova. Food and other basic items of necessity remain scarce throughout the war-torn region. “A well-off woman had to beg for food in front of the gate of the army base,” Poliakova recounted.

According to a BBC News report in February, the price of bread had inflated 27% since the previous month.  Citizens of Ukraine are quick to buy products as soon as they hit shelves and before the prices can skyrocket further.  Such drastic inflation has directly affected Poliakova’s father’s business. “Now fewer people will shop at my father’s electronic shop,” she said.

Though Zhytomyr remains relatively peaceful, Poliakova was not far from danger. In September, the rebels attempted to seize the Donetsk airport when her friend’s boyfriend happened to be on duty in the airport’s warehouse.  He was close enough to hear the blast from the bombs.

Over winter break, Poliakova witnessed her neighbors donating food to the local army base, and she knows many others who have enlisted. “The military needs doctors and nurses now because every day people die,” said Poliakova.

Poliakova has a personal relationship with the Ukrainian military—her father had served in the army while Ukraine remained part of the Soviet Union. She is proud of her father and his service to his country. But the current political situation has made it difficult for her father. “We cannot talk about the war or politics between our countries.” Poliakova senses that many Ukrainians are concerned about surveillance and wire-tapping.

Now back at Randolph, Poliakova remains focused on her studies. But with new news coming from the Ukraine everyday, she is concerned about the safety of her family.