Febr. 24 will mark four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As the day approaches, Wisconsin Ukrainians Inc. is getting ready to host a benefit concert for families in Ukraine and soldiers impacted by the war. It’s personal for Karina Tweedell. She was born in a region of Ukraine that is now occupied by Russia, and her uncle still lives in Kyiv, the capital city. She has an app on her phone that monitors where ongoing Russian airstrikes are and how quickly new strikes are coming.”By now, a lot of people are well-versed on different bombs that Russia is utilizing,” Tweedell said, describing the app.It’s a bleak reality for Tweedell and for those living in Ukraine. Russian airstrikes have plunged Ukraine into darkness, cutting off heat during the cold winter months. “I think 15 degrees right now — Fahrenheit — in Kyiv. So it’s really cold,” Tweedell said. Her uncle, Damir Gazizullin, lives in Kyiv and experiences frequent power outages. He sent videos answering questions from WISN 12 News Friday. “He’s saying on average power is out for about eight hours — which is actually a lot better than it has been,” Tweedell translated.Gazizullin shared videos showing his drive to the grocery store, with snow-packed ground and once-illuminated high rises now dark. He reported that more than 500 high-rise buildings in Kyiv currently lack heat.”The war is happening, and it’s hard to see the end to it. But everybody understands that to surrender means to die,” Gazizullin said.As the war drags into its fifth year, Tweedell compares the spirit of Ukrainians to that of marathon runners who have been running for a long time.”So many people are still standing. Defending freedom, not only in Ukraine but all over the world,” she said. Tweedell is inspired by the grit and determination of Ukrainians and is actively fundraising for supplies to support Ukraine through Wisconsin Ukrainians Inc. “It’s not a matter of territory of land. It’s a matter of being able to live the values that you are willing to fight for and to honestly die for,” she said.Wisconsin Ukrainians is holding a benefit concert Saturday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. at St. Robert Roman Catholic Church in Shorewood, with all proceeds going to prosthetics for soldiers who lost limbs in the war. Tweedell remains committed to fighting for her family and for peace.
February 24 will mark four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
As the day approaches, Wisconsin Ukrainians Inc. is getting ready to host a benefit concert for families in Ukraine and soldiers impacted by the war.
It’s personal for Karina Tweedell. She was born in a region of Ukraine that is now occupied by Russia, and her uncle still lives in Kyiv, the capitol city. She has an app on her phone that monitors where ongoing Russian airstrikes are, and how quickly new strikes are coming.
“By now a lot of people are well-versed on different bombs that Russia is utilizing,” Tweedell said, describing the app.
It’s a bleak reality for Tweedell, and for those living in Ukraine. Russian airstrikes have plunged Ukraine into darkness, cutting off heat during the cold winter months.
“I think 15 degrees right now – Fahrenheit – in Kyiv. So it’s really cold,” Tweedell said.
Her uncle, Damir Gazizullin, lives in Kyiv and experiences frequent power outages. He sent videos answering questions from WISN 12 News Friday.
“He’s saying on average power is out for about eight hours – which is actually a lot better than it has been,” Tweedell translated.
Gazizullin shared videos showing his drive to the grocery store, with snow-packed ground and once-illuminated high rises now dark. He reported that more than 500 high-rise buildings in Kyiv currently lack heat. “The war is happening and it’s hard to see the end to it. But everybody understands that to surrender means to die,” Gazizullin said.
As the war drags into its fifth year, Tweedell compares the spirit of Ukrainians to that of marathon runners who have been running for a long time.
“So many people are still standing. Defending freedom, not only in Ukraine but all over the world,” she said.
Tweedell is inspired by the grit and determination of Ukrainians and is actively fundraising for supplies to support Ukraine through Wisconsin Ukrainians Inc.
“It’s not a matter of territory – of land. It’s a matter of being able to live the values that you are willing to fight for and to honestly die for,” she said.
Wisconsin Ukrainians is holding a benefit concert Saturday, February 21 at 7 p.m. at Saint Robert Roman Catholic Church in Shorewood, with all proceeds going to prosthetics for soldiers who lost limbs in the war.
Tweedell remains committed to fighting for her family and for peace.