While a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine dominates international headlines, the Kyiv Post spoke with deputies from Kharkiv and Lviv regional councils about what really worries Ukrainians this holiday season.
With over 100,000 Russian troops deployed along Ukraine’s eastern and northern borders as Ukrainians celebrate Christmas, the Kyiv Post wondered how real do Ukrainians view the threat of a possible Russian invasion?
We spoke with Iryna Sekh, a Svoboda deputy and former Governor of the Lviv regional council, and Kateryna Sederenko, a Kernes Bloc – successful Kharkiv Region deputy of the Kharkiv regional council to find out.
Iryna Sekh (left), a Svoboda deputy and former Governor of the Lviv regional council, and Kateryna Sederenko (right), a Kernes Bloc – successful Kharkiv Region deputy of the Kharkiv regional council Photos: Facebook
What Ukrainians Think of a Russian Invasion
As it turns out – Ukrainians are not overly worried about the threat of Russian invasion, according to both Sederenko and Sekh.
“There is no panic in our region that Russia will invade – we think this is impossible,” said Kharkiv region deputy Sederenko.
“Every family wants one thing – that everyone is healthy and prosperous.”
Lviv region deputy Sekh wanted to remind people that Ukraine was already at war.
“In our region, the war has dealt a very painful blow.“
she told the Kyiv Post.
“There is a helicopter unit in Brody [Lviv oblast], the pilots of which went to the East at the beginning of the war. We were one of the first to bury our soldiers.”
Being accustomed to wartime holidays is nothing new for Ukrainians, Sekh said.
“Despite all the difficult challenges and trials – war, pandemic, deteriorating living standards – our people celebrate Christmas as our parents did, keeping traditions, with prayer, carols, and hospitality.”
Sekh noted that despite the upbeat nature of the holiday season, Christmas 2022 could be difficult for some.
“In many families, it will be a sad Christmas Eve, because there will be no relatives at the table, [like those] who were lost in the war or who were taken from us by illness.”
What Ukrainians Worry about This Christmas Season
When asked what their constituents will be talking about over Christmas dinner, both deputies brought up familiar concerns – corruption, unemployment, and dilapidated infrastructure.
“Undoubtedly, a shortage of jobs [and] insufficiently developed cultural, sporting, and educational infrastructure,” Sederenko mentioned as tasks she is working to address in Kharkiv oblast.
“Kharkiv region is large, each city has its own problems.“
Sekh brought up similar themes, highlighting a recent protest against corruption in her region.
“As in other regions of Ukraine, business closures, unemployment, bad roads, poor infrastructure, [and] poverty,” she told the Kyiv Post, before speaking about the recent protest.
“The protest was caused by the fact that someone in the highest cabinet is trying to profit from corruption and [the] squandering of forest resources – the great wealth of our people,” she said.
“[After] the dismissal of ‘undesirable’ leaders – and even detention for unknown reasons – the people who defended their dignity on the Maidan a few years ago could not reconcile and protested, even blocking the international highway.”
“The war is already here. We are ready for it.”
Still, both politicians were quick to highlight the positive mood of the holiday season in their respective regions.
“Kharkiv is a peaceful Ukrainian city. Here we feel safe. There is no conversation about panic or flight. We talk about peace, well-being, and health,” said Sederenko before thanking the soldiers serving on the front lines this holiday season.
“I respect the people who protect our country and thanks to whom we live in peace.”
Sekh, too, spoke about the calm nature of the holiday. But she also reminded me about Ukraine’s readiness for further conflict.
“It seems to me that over the years, people’s faith grows stronger that the enemy will not be able to defeat us. Even talk of a possible full-scale invasion is no longer frightening. It seems to me that our people do not believe that Putin will dare,”she told the Kyiv Post.
“Are people preparing for war?” she asked.
“The war is already here. We are prepared.“
