Today, we passed the mark of 1000 days since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It is time to reflect and remember.
The war, running from 2014 and then the full-scale invasion, has already reshaped our life, thoughts, society, and culture.
The war will be in our lives for years to come, even when it ends. It will be in the names of cities – Bucha, Mariupol, Bakhmut. It will stay in photos and social media posts and be present in books and theatre plays. It will remind itself in pain and panic attacks, in the grief of those who lost their loved ones, in wounds and scars both physical and mental.
The war came to stay…
The war has thrust new knowledge, experiences, and connections upon us. I met so many great people and discovered the mysterious world of the UK charity sector. But also, even while living far from Ukraine, I’ve learned how to shelter in a flat, how to avoid mines, to obey martial law, how to make camouflage nets and trench candles, what it takes to equip one soldier, what is REB, and many, many things that I would never imagine learning. I hope that in the future, nobody will need that knowledge.
The war is here, and it will always be behind my shoulder, asking if I’m doing enough to support my people and how dare I have some fun while so many suffer right now.
The war will be here in this blog a lot, as it shapes our culture and touches all aspects of my life.
1000 days and 8 years of grief
Korostenka 