Russia followed through on its threats. She launched on the night of Wednesday to Thursday a vast offensive on Ukraine. A war to which Ukrainians settled in Lorraine hoped to escape. A diaspora of around a hundred members who have been following the development of the situation from a distance for several weeks, the anxiety is rising a notch with this attack described as “large-scale” by the Ukrainian government.
News from family and friends
“We didn’t think he was going to dare the worst” deplore Violeta Mokalu. That PhD student at the University of Lorraine, based in Metz, is also president of the association Echange Lorraine-Ukraine. For several days, she has been waking up every night to hear from her country and her loved ones. Just after Vladimir Putin spoke announcing the start of military operations, “we started to see testimonies on social networks from people from several cities in Ukraine saying that they heard explosions” she explains.
The academic is from western Ukraine, on the border with Romania. She also runs a “Ukraine Global” foundation whose teams “woke up this morning in Kiev with the sirens and had to descend into underground shelters.” Others are in the east of the country, “under the bombardments.”
In Epinalthey are two sisters who do not hide their concern. Ana and Lisa Sobolieva are 21 and 23 years old and are singers at the Conservatory. Their family lives in a locality near the borders with Russia and Belarus. “It’s disturbing, it’s terrible”says Lisa. “For the moment we have little news from our families. They try to be calm and reflect, to act with a cool head.”
What will Russia do next?
All are worried about the fighting and the future of their country. For Violeta Moskalu, the Kremlin’s intention is clear: “His will is to change the government in Ukraine to a pro-Russian government.” According to Lisa, “The situation is different compared to 8 years ago. I’m not sure it will stop just in Ukraine.” Violeta Moskalu hopes that beyond the economic and financial sanctions against Moscow, the international community will mobilize to “help Ukraine to have an anti-aircraft defense to be able to defend itself.” “The only thing we can do is pray” concludes Lisa.