Hofstra students, regardless of background, are impacted by the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces. // Photo courtesy of Amaury Laporte.
Ukrainian people woke up to a military invasion on Thursday, Feb. 24, after weeks of Russian troops gathering at the nation’s border. Civilians’ lives were uprooted, as they were forced to evacuate immediately to bomb shelters and underground train tunnels for safety and unsure for how long they’ll have to fall asleep to the sound of artillery coming from above.
In the days that followed the invasion, the international community has had time to respond. Many government officials around the world were quick to condemn the violence in Ukraine, impose economic sanctions on Russia and provide humanitarian aid to those who were affected.
“So far, the [United States’, European Union’s (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO)] response has been quite strong,” said Paul Fritz, an international politics professor at Hofstra University.
New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her compassion for the people of Ukraine and formally condemned Russia’s actions against the nation. She also signed executive order No. 14, prohibiting the state of New York from financially aiding Russia as it encroaches on the sovereignty of Ukraine and its people.
In the days since, people with Ukrainian and Russian backgrounds have dealt with a multitude of emotions with every new update coming from Kharkiv, Kyiv and Odessa.
“[My wife and I], we are both very emotional, and we are both very stressed out,” said Igor Pustovoit, a Russian language professor who is originally from Ukraine. “We have family there [and] the emotional coverage is absolutely unbearable because I’m trying to hold up, but my wife just bursts into tears every now and then.”
Nikita Ivanynyuk, who is studying for his master’s degree in accounting at Hofstra, felt difficulty moving forward with his day-to-day life knowing that other people are fighting for their right to have a free and sovereign state.
“I missed classes for the first couple of days because [it felt like] nothing really mattered,” Ivanynyuk said, not letting his Russian background prohibit him from sympathizing with the people who are suffering. “We all know [the war] is wrong, let’s come together and be kind to each other.”
Yulia Erdyv, a freshman finance and business analytics major who is originally from Kyiv, is distraught by the ongoing conflict.
“I feel so much responsibility [to help family], it’s hard to sleep,” Erdyv said, holding back tears.
On Friday, Feb. 25, Hofstra President Susan Poser released an email about the situation in Ukraine, stressing the importance of exercising “kindness and understanding” to the students and faculty troubled by the conflict. This prompted varied responses from the student body. Ivanynyuk was glad to have received that message, seeking comfort in it.
“[The invasion] was a major event and if [Hofstra] didn’t acknowledge it like they did, it would have felt wrong; it would have felt [like] they were ignoring [the war],” Ivanynyuk said.
Others, however, thought that the school’s response was not enough. Erdyv compared Hofstra’s actions to those of Harvard University, for example. “[Harvard] is supporting Ukrainian community so much, they are talking about [the war], they put it on the news, they’re taking interviews; I didn’t see … Hofstra do anything like this to show support,” Erdyv said, unhappy with the lack of social support and coverage compared to other schools with Ukrainian students.
People have taken to the streets and to social media to help start fundraisers as continual news coverage shows the atrocities and suffering of the people weathering out the storm of the invading army. Erdyv started an Instagram page and website that sells hoodies, where 100% of profits are donated to the Ukrainian army and Ukrainian children displaced in the conflict. Over five hundred dollars have been raised within four days of opening, according to Erdyv.
To maintain hope, Erdyv commended the strength of her home country.
“I’ve never seen Ukraine that strong and that powerful,” Erdyv said, commenting on how fiercely the Ukrainian army is fighting every day since war first broke out. “[They are] such strong people and I am proud to be a Ukrainian right now.”
