It’s been over TWO Years of the full-scale Russian invasion, Aggression and attack on democratic Ukrainian Values.

russians are bombing, occupying, killing, torturing, raping and abducting Ukrainian children.

Where/how to help Ukraine? Here are some ideas.

*unlike the typical WOW WOMAN features, “Inside Ukraine” stories showcase photos sent by the women themselves. Their photographs are a glimpse into the day-in-a-life before the russian attack and a contrast into the present, over 700 days of a full-scale war and russian aggression.

Mariia Borysenko, Rescue Dog Handler and Trainer, Car Tuning Technician for the Armed Forces, Pavlohrad, Ukraine

Women inside Ukraine are truly remarkable. As I write about Ms. Mariia Borysenko, I struggle to contain my emotions. She is a brilliant young Ukrainian who, upon crossing the threshold of her mid-20s, has endured the relentless onslaught of russian bombs overhead. Despite this, as a young professional working in her beloved fields of auto tuning and dog training, Ms. Borysenko has employed every peacetime skill she possesses to assist her country during this evil invasion, aiding both suffering civilians and the men and women in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

What strikes me as most unjust and enraging is the lost time and opportunity for Ukrainian youth who, for almost 2.5 years now, have witnessed and endured the crimes perpetrated by their barbaric neighbor. How and where will the young people of Ukraine reclaim that precious time to experience youth, to be carefree and joyful? Nevertheless, the resilience demonstrated by women like Ms. Borysenko is astonishing, and it is this resilience that drives me to support Ukraine. Seeing ordinary, under-the-radar individuals silently transform into determined warriors serves as a wake-up call, urging me to act and utilize my own skills, much like Mariia does, to provide aid to Ukraine in any conceivable form.

Julia Tymoshenko - Media Communications Specialist, Ukrainer, Saint Javelin, Kyiv, Ukraine

My Inside Ukraine WOW Woman Ms. Julia Tymoshenko, who before the war was as confused about the future as anyone in their early twenties. However, when russians started bombing Kyiv and invaded her home village two years ago, Julia’s mission crystalized. She, and the entire generation of students, grads and new career professionals use their peace-time skills to help Ukraine survive, and win, this war. In Ms. Timoshenko’s case, it was her knowledge of English, her quiet confidence, passion and chutzpah which I found so compelling. I keep seeing Ms. Tymoshenko pop up in my feeds:

* through her work with a cheeky Canadian-Ukrainian information disseminator platform called Saint Javelin

* as an interviewer for Ukrainer’s English language platform (Ukraine Through the Eyes of Reporters)

* as a Spend_With_Ukraine ambassador with her touching promotion of Ukrainian embroidery, artists and brands.

* and finally from the Ukraine’s 25 Under 25: Young and Daring Award. The award was created to highlight the work of the emerging media makers in Ukraine.

It’s endearing, Julia’s subtle but powerful activism that permeates throughout her online presence. It all adds up to an endless creative stream of actions aimed at helping her country. Julia Tymoshenko and young women and men in her orbit give me hope that, even in a time of war, no outside threat will be able to rob Ukrainians of resolve, power and optimism. Through them, we will persevere and triumph.

Victoria Osemene - Teacher, Linguist, Digital Creator, Kharkiv

Ms. Victoria Osemene initially moved to Ukraine from Lagos to pursue her studies. Ten years of Ukrainian immersion and two degrees later, it’s safe to assume that Victoria fell in love with the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s culture and its people.

On February 24, 2022, Ms. Osemene, alongside Kharkiv’s 1.4M residents, awakened to the sounds of bombs and shelling - russians were invading, bombing and moving toward the city. In the coming weeks and months, Victoria witnessed an exodus of locals and foreign nationals, yet decided to stay put. The most vicious russian bombings of Kharkiv followed as moscow deployed hundreds of strategic bombers, ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as Iranian or russian-made drones, all taking minutes to reach the city from the russian border, located a mere 32km/19miles away from Kharkiv’s city center. Russians continue bombing Khakriv to this day.

I respect Victoria for opening her heart to my people and continually using her voice to counteract the heavy russian propaganda circulating worldwide. I also admire Victoria’s sense of humour and positivity despite the daily tragedy unfolding in her city; she finds humour and perseveres.

Through her courageous truth-telling and support of the brave Ukrainian fighters (she donates blood and vocally denounces the aggressor), Vicky earned respect of Ukrainians around her. Vicky fell in love with Ukrainian culture, language and traditions; Ukrainians, in return, fell in love with Vicky. Vicky paid her dues by sticking with Kharkivites and for that she is a WOW Woman and a Ukrainian in my books.

Kris Oliinyk, Volunteer, Project Manager Ukrainian Charitable Foundation, Kyiv

I’ve spent a great deal of time poring over Ms. Kristina Oliinyk’s social media stories. I was particularly interested in her Ukrainian war diary from 2022, a collection of daily videos depicting an evolution of human response to an attack on one’s homeland. Kris’s toughness, vulnerability and despair in the initial weeks and months of russian terror were gut-wrenching. As Kris’s business in the beautiful wine country of Cape Town flourished, Kris’s mom and sister were huddled together in Kyiv bomb shelter. Kris was 5900 miles / 9460 km away from the loves of her life, watching the horror unfold through news reports and accounts of everyday Ukrainians. It was in those moments, after the full-scale invasion started, Kris began recording, mainly in English, for her South African friends and anyone who would listen.

February 24th, 2024 marks two years of the full scale russian barbarism. As I type this, russians continue to slaughter Ukrainian men, women and children. Male population of Ukraine is being actively wiped off the face of the earth, many families have been displaced internally or have settled abroad. Ukrainian social media videos look very different now, compared to the beginning of the invasion, folks are attempting to find a new kind of “normal”, focusing on mental health while trying to stay alive. Human psyche seemed to allow people to live, coexist and survive within the confines of daily air raids and impeding mobile bombing alerts. Ukrainians are persevering. Military has become God. Global opinions and proposed “solutions” fluctuate depending on the country and the hemisphere. One thing remained constant - Ukrainian women like Kris continue acting and doing.

We are Ukrainians after all, we will never submit; we will resist forever!

Nadiia Chorna, Teacher, Caregiver, Children and Adults with Special Needs, Novyi Rozdil

When russia brought the war of aggression onto Ukrainian land, Ukrainian women were forced to provide for their families within the debilitating confines of war. Additionally, uniting around the shared rage against the aggressor, Ukrainians began to act. Ukrainian women organized and volunteered, they picked up arms, switched careers to serve the front, fundraised for the army and advanced the fields of innovation and education; all while living under a constant threat of indiscriminate russian bombing campaigns.

My current Inside Ukraine WOW Woman, Ms. Nadiia Chorna, is no exception. On the surface, Ms. Chorna is a regular Ukrainian woman, a kind and gentle demeanor and a soft approach toward others. Nadiia’s passion is working with unique people in her community: kids and adults with special needs, kids without parents and the elderly. Nadiia is an angel who makes lives of those around her better. When russians invaded, she continued her work with the disadvantaged but also assisted internally displaced Ukrainian refugees, conducted fundraisers for the army and began fundraising. Such was and continues to be extra work and burden on Ukrainians who are split between helping, volunteering and attempting to provide for their families.

“I am a small pot, but I do everything in my power and within my family's means.”

I am proud of and inspired by Ukrainian women, wonderstruck by the collective action of Ukrainians who are persevering through the worst atrocities the country has experienced in centuries. I know that as long as Ukraine boasts warm and kind people like Nadiia Chorna, Ukraine will come out victorious.

Inna Furman - Entrepreneur, Builder of Ukraine's Future, 3D House Creator, Kyiv

When it comes to russia’s war of aggression, Ukrainians continue their stellar resistance, both soldiers on the front as well as the civilian population. It’s incredible that through drone attacks and civilian bombings, there remains a space for entrepreneurialism, bold ideas and complex thought among the battered population. Alas, war serves as a big stimulus for innovation and as such, it has forced Ukrainians to think outside the box. To put it bluntly, without innovating Ukrainians will not survive. Unsurprisingly, Ukraine became the hub for passionate people who poured their skills into survival concepts, defense ideas, infrastructure betterment and growing of an already world-class tech sector.

Personally, I am wowed by women who didn’t fold their arms after invasion, learning instead to coexist with fear, picking themselves up by their bootstraps and making a bold choice to jump into action, oftentimes outside their areas of expertise. Ms. Inna Furman is one such human - a perfect marriage of skills and bravery. She is a successful entrepreneur and CEO who, upon invasion, dove into volunteering and used her know-how to build and better civilian infrastructure in new and innovative ways.

Natalka Sonechko - Tireless Volunteer, Miracle Worker, Lviv

On March 2, 2022 worldwide news outlets reported “15,000 Russian soldiers are invading Ukraine from the north, with a convoy made up of tanks, armoured vehicles and an array of other artillery and military hardware. The massive 40 mile-long convoy is snaking along roads toward Kyiv. The column entered Ukraine from Belarus, passed the town of Prybirsk and is almost toward Kyiv.”

When I realized that my Inside Ukraine WOW Woman, Ms. Natalka Sonechko (who goes by “Ladybug”) is from Prybirsk, the hair on my arm stood up; the terror of the 64 km/40-mile attacker convoy, filled with 15,000 blood-thirsty aggressors, turned from fantastical to personal and real. Sonechko’s entire existence, her home and a summer camp for the children called “Palms Touch” were destroyed in the matter of hours. Ms. Sonechko’s made it out and has since been displaced as a refugee to Lviv in western Ukraine; Natalka did not fold her arms, she mobilized! This interview is a story of incredible defiance, perseverance and rage that has been channeled into action!

Natalka is a tireless miracle worker, she helps Ukraine on all fronts. Frontline soldiers receive Natalka’s care packages, first aid backpacks and medical supplies, but her sweet spot and passion lie with helping others through interaction with horses. At her Palms Touch camp, Natalka conducts equine-assisted, as well as art therapy with both Ukraine’s youth and her brave veterans; soldiers, who often are without limbs and have prosthetics, undergo a physical, occupational, and speech therapy that utilize the natural gait and movement of a horse to provide motor, and sensory input. With nurture, care and compassion, Natalka invests in Ukraine’s future. As russia-brought carnage continues, there is little time for Ukrainians to start healing from the collective war trauma, loss and devastation. However, shining stars like Natalka are out there, taking first steps toward this difficult and necessary healing process.

Andirana Susak-ArekhtA - WARRIOR DEFENDER, ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE, WOMEN IN MILITARY ADVOCATE, UNDISCLOSED LOCATION

My Inside Ukraine WOW Woman Ms. Andirana Susak-Arekhta first took part in the Revolution of Dignity, standing up to the pro-russian government and changing the course of Ukraine forever. Then, when russia annexed Crimea in 2014, Ms. Susak-Areckhta chose to leave the corporate world and enlist in a fighter battalion, with the aim to defend Ukraine’s right to exist as a sovereign democratic nation.

In the Ukrainian Armed Forces at the time, women like Andiana who proved intelligent, professional and reliable, were not exempt from difficult military tasks. Andriana took part in dangerous reconnaissance missions, provided first aid to the wounded comrades, coordinated prisoner exchanges, motivated and trained new arrivals and much more. Although militarily and tactically, women were taking part in the combat missions, served as snipers, grenade launchers, reconnaissance soldiers, artillerists, Ukrainian legislation did not reward them with commensurate titles, salaries, social or military benefits, awards, social status nor career opportunities in the army. Instead, on paper, these brave soldiers were listed as army cooks, seamstresses, cleaners and accountants. As such, female fighters were invisible, no matter how much they contributed to their nation. Andriana resisted this notion, spoke out and has been a strong advocate for women’s rights in the military ever since, founding Veteranka, an organization focused on uniting women from a variety of military backgrounds.

Since the full-scale russian invasion, Andriana returned to the military service, defending Ukraine from the ongoing russian barbarism. Andriana was gravely injured as her vehicle drove over a mine, she rehabbed and is back serving her nation. As the biggest advocate for US support, Andriana was one of the people who were instrumental in American Abrams tanks shipments to Ukraine.

Glory to Ukrainian Heroes!

Tetiana Oliinyk - DRONE PILOT, ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE, NURSE, FEARLESS WOMAN, UNDISCLOSED LOCATION

My Inside Ukraine WOW Woman Ms. Tetiana Oliinyk captured my attention with her honest portrayal of what it’s like to be a woman in the Armed Forces. Whatever you imagine feeling in her shoes, forget about it! It’s impossible to understand a full picture of such a life’s choice, hence impossible and wrong to judge it. Our job is then to listen, read and educate ourselves. I would not be able to write a single cohesive sentence upon landing in the midst of a war; neither would most of you. That’s why, as Ms. Tetiana Oliinyk’s inner monologue pours out onto a page, no holds barred, we should all be transfixed and reading. Ms. Oliinyk didn’t ask for this attack by the fascist neighbor, but she left her office job and decided to dive in - as a defender of the Ukrainian people.

On one hand, I’m able to internalize her sacrifice and honour Tetiana’s daily decision to get up and risk her life. On the other hand, I’ll never be able to fully understand. How many shattered and rebuilt emotions must one go through to first be attacked and hear the sounds of exterminatory bombs, then feel the rage and injustice at the thought of a future destroyed, followed by a decision to enlist in the nation’s Armed Forces? I wouldn’t know the first thing about how to seek support, to feel the feelings of being a woman in the army, to watch brothers and sisters get killed and not be able to bury them because of the danger involved. I do know that a woman full of rage can be both effective and lethal, yet I still wouldn’t know what it’s like to strategize, conserve energy, kill the enemy invader, sleep and repeat. Ms. Tetiana does. That’s why I will shut up and read her words.

Anastasia Piddubna- RADIO PRESENTER, MARIUPOL SURVIVOR, UKRAINIAN MOTHER

From the moment of the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Mariupol was being destroyed one block at a time, with people buried inside their apartments, homes and in buildings’ basements. Being on russia’s list of strategic port cities to occupy, Mariupol and its residents received no mercy. Ms. Anastasia Piddubna was due to give birth in Mariupol, in March 2022. When russian bombs began to drop, she was moved to a bomb-shelter of the Maternity Hospital No. 3 in the Mariupol city center. The sequence of events in “20 Days in Mariupol”, the Ukrainian filmmakers’ capture of the aftermath of the russian bombing of the Maternity Hospital No. 3 and Ms. Piddubna’s ordeal coincide - they show Anastasia and her family members in the mere minutes after the explosion.

Interview with Ms. Anastasia Piddubna was conducted remotely. She has so far been an exception to the Inside Ukraine project, where all interviewees live on the territory of Ukraine. Ms. Piddubna’s astonishing circumstance have led her to Europe, and not by choice. Her story is so compelling that I was inspired to create an Inside Ukrainian Heart split to my coverage of Ukrainian WOW Women. Anastasia is an exceptional woman and although she resides abroad, she lives and breathes Ukraine, going to extraordinary lengths to help our nation remain in the spotlight, persevere through russian attacks and continue to seek justice on an international scale. Anastasia’s courage, willpower and her incredible nerves of steel should give us all courage to stand up against barbarism that russian federation seems to sew not only in Ukraine but all over the world.

Irina Terehovich-Sopko - Staff Sergeant, Armed Forces of Ukraine, Undisclosed Location

As a Ukrainian living abroad, I am in awe of all women Inside Ukraine making ends meet during the most brutal russian miliary offense on my home country. Some women though, are just built differently. I’m unable to sufficiently capsulize my feelings about Ms. Irina Terehovich-Sopko, imagine nor match her level of dedication toward Ukraine’s defense. What I am able to take away from Irina’s words, is the resolve for all of us, especially Ukrainians abroad, to strive and sacrifice something to help Ukraine. I’m thankful to Ms. Terehovich for that push and reminder; global democracy rests on the outcome of this invasion on this sovereign European nation. I pledge to make a concerted effort to do something every day; thanks to this wake up, I plan to consistently sacrifice either my time or money to help Ukrainians defeat the hostile russian aggressor.

Ms. Terehovich-Sopko first volunteered for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in early 2010's when it was still impossible for women to officially serve in the combat positions in the military. But when russians invaded the first time, in 2014, the rules of the game changed - competent volunteers were suddenly noticed, no matter their gender. So later that year, when russians succeeded in their illegal takeover of Ukrainian eastern provinces and Crimea, Irina enlisted. Irina is from the western region of Ukraine, the beautiful Carpathian mountains - fresh air, forests and European feel - yet she made her way all the way to the front, in the industrial east, and began her career as a defender. Since the full-scale invasion of February 2022, Irina doubled down; she is now a Staff Sergeant. Irina risks her life daily for her three beautiful children she left behind and for their and every Ukrainian’s future. Irina has seen and heard what russians bring with their “liberation”; she thus wants Ukrainians to keep their basic human freedoms - rights to life and liberty, freedom from occupation and torture, freedom of opinion and expression - all the liberties we sometimes take for granted in the west. Irina’s daily sacrifices, immense risks to her life and safety, get me fired up to act and support her efforts from the rear. We cannot let russian fascists in, we must keep supporting Ukraine!

Natalya Dedova - Journalist, TV Presenter, Mariupol Survivor

Ms. Natalya Dedova is a collector of people’s stories. Ms. Dedova is from Mariupol, a city on the Sea of Azov, in Ukraine. Natalya was born in Mariupol, studied there, worked as a local newscaster and a journalist there. Mariupol is where Natalya met her husband Victor (or Vitya); sparks flew - she in front of the camera, he behind. Natalya lived and breathed Mariupol and its people. Residents loved and respected her, especially her decade-long volunteer work with the Mariupol charity she founded, Marathon of Kindness, where she fundraised for the medical treatment of gravely ill children.

Then, in the early hours of February 24, 2022, russians invaded Ukraine. Natalya bore witness to the start of the barbaric russian blockade and over the period of weeks witnessed deaths of countless residents. She saw first-hand the horrors russians were bringing with them in the name of liberation. She witnessed as the city of Mariupol was leveled by the invaders, completely and utterly. She suffered personal loss at the hands of the invaders. Ultimately, Natalya and her son were among the 270,000 residents who ran; her husband Vitya didn’t make it out alive.

Although Ms. Dedova lives in Kyiv now, her journalistic sense keeps her mind on Mariupol. The aim of her work is to tell stories of the 270,000 Mariupol survivors who managed to flee from russian bombs, and of the 100,000 who couldn’t; Natalya shares her personal story as part of the former group, her husband’s fate lies with the latter.

Natalya’s dedication comes with a high price of daily remembrances of horrors but she carries on with this gargantuan effort, having written over 600 obituaries as well as 150 stories of survival. With this morbid archive, Ms. Dedova is forcing the world to face each crime perpetrated by the russian federation on Ukrainian soil, russians themselves can’t pretend otherwise.

Yuliia Mahda - ARTIST, POET, MARIUPOL SURVIVOR

Ms. Yuliia Mahda is my next Inside Ukraine WOW Woman; she is an artist and a poet and a proud Ukrainian who comes from the Eastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol. In the time since the full-scale russian invasion began (on February 24, 2022), Mariupol, and it’s initial population of half a million, have undergone the most painful transformation in history: russian invaders wiped the city and tens of thousands of its residents off the face of the earth in a complete, indiscriminate and utter annihilation. For those who tried to flee, russian invaders set up filtration camps (or military checkpoints) where Ukrainians were interrogated, beaten, tortured and psychologically pressured. Ms. Mahda had to go through 17 such checkpoints where russian cowards searched for cell phone footage from Mariupol or looked for chest bruises (telltale signs of body armour) on men. It’s clear that the Mariupol extermination campaign has been carefully planned by executioners in Kremlin because 17 checkpoints ensure that the evidence, that would horrify the world at-large, would be completely erased. Dissenters will never be seen again. Although Yuliia erased her phone, her memories couldn’t be captured by russian cowards, her bravery is in her storytelling, in her art. Yuliia paints and writes to chronicle the pain of 270,000 Ukrainians who fled Mariupol at the start of the invasion; her work speaks for and honours 25,000 civilians, women and children who were killed there.

Images and paintings in this feature bruise and leave a scar, but including them was incredibly important for me because they also serve as a form of justice, a historical record, another burden of proof that will be studied for generations to come; Yuliia’s work will be added to the dossier of evidence for future retributions for the russian federation.

Olena Silna - Survivor, Ukrainian Woman, Vocal Patriot, Nikopol, Ukraine

Imagine: you’re at home, it is Feb 2022, you live in a thriving city, in Europe. It’s early morning, so you’re thinking about an early run? Suddenly, electricity, cell phone reception and water supply become spotty. The airport in your city is destroyed by a missile. You don’t know yet, but you will not get to finish your Valentine’s candy; you don’t know yet, but in the coming weeks you will have to fight for survival. The sounds of explosions fill your ears, from your apartment window you see black clouds above the surrounding neighbourhoods, multiple plumes of smoke appear and you can smell them now. Somewhere in the back of your head it registers that your friends and your child’s friends live in that direction. You then hear a loud bang, feel the apartment vibrate, and as you run, the glass in your windows cracks and shatters. Panic. You run out with your daughter, head for the nearest basement (who has basements in apartment buildings?)

Next, the events unfold as if in a nightmare, but you’re an active participant. Someone informs you about your business, a shop you own, it has been hit by a missile and it is burning. You start to slowly dissociate as you go on a survival autopilot. You are rounded up, along with other mothers and the elderly, because you see, apartment buildings around you crumble, entombing those inside their basements. So local military guys bring you to a deeper basement of a steel factory. Did I mention your city is a bustling 21st Century steel town? Steel factory basement is in fact deeper and you feel buried deep underground. On one hand, you’re safer underground, but soon you, and other women and children, realize that you’re all trapped in a dark, damp, metal sarcophagus. Just shell-shocked people, staring at each other in disbelief. Children are crying and calmed constantly. They can’t run too much because dust has no outlet. You are all breathing in that dust.

Nadiya Vidvazhna - TRANSLATOR, UKRAINIAN, SURVIVOR, MARIUPOL

Every word written by Nadiya, is a glimpse at the experience of a regular woman, a resident of Ukraine, currently living under russian occupation. Nadiya and I could only communicate through the virtual private network (VPN), some days her electricity, and internet, would be shut off. Every western social media platform, including Google, has been blocked by the cowardly aggressor state. Many of her details remain untold (as they may identify her); living under the russian occupation means experiencing suppression of personal freedoms, seeing the spread of fear and facing a real threat of violence through abductions and torture. Dissent in all forms is prosecuted harshly. Activities of defiant Ukrainians are kept under wraps, for obvious reasons, just like the tattoo Nadiya must keep hidden. Everyone is waiting for Ukrainian liberation.

The further a society drifts from truth, the more it will hate those who speak it, the saying goes. Russia hates truth-tellers, especially inside the occupied territories. Outspoken people and their relatives are tortured and beaten. Nadiya is bravely writing from inside Mariupol; out of fear for her, I have insisted on changing all personal details, leaving only her powerful words. Her diary entries are impassionate, candid, unwavering in their honesty. Upon liberation, I will return to this feature, and reveal Nadiya’s name and her beautiful face; I’m praying this moment comes soon. “However much you deny the truth, the truth goes on existing, as it were, behind your back”.

Oleksandra Matviichuk - Human Rights Defender, Nobel Peace Laureate, Kyiv

In February 2022, we all witnessed as russia, under the pretense of liberation and de-Nazification, invaded a sovereign European nation, then began to systematically destroy Ukrainian cities and towns, triggering the largest refugee crisis in Europe, since the Second World War. We listened to the russian aggressor’s abhorrent reasoning for an unprecedented and illegal attempt at a foreign land-grab, watched him cross Ukraine’s border and initiate a destruction of the critical civilian infrastructure (shelling of educational institutions, healthcare facilities such as maternity hospitals, cancer clinics and hospitals for special surgeries, as well as bombings of the water and power supply stations throughout Ukraine). We then checked-in with our loved ones after learning of the murders of the civilian population and the relentless and cruel nightly kamikaze drone attacks of the sleeping Ukrainian families. The news showed us the aftermath of the russian torture and murders of Ukrainians in the de-occupied territories (crimes russians didn’t even bother hiding, due to their self-congratulatory feeling of impunity), imprisonment of Ukrainian defenders, as well as targeting of volunteer paramedics in a series of “double-taps” (hitting a target, waiting a few minutes for first responders to arrive, and then hitting the same spot again for maximum carnage). Yes, russians did this.

Justice for the crimes committed by the russian federation. Is it possible to seek justice for the aggressor, in the time of war, while the aggression is ongoing? Russia is relying on the slowdown of the war news cycle, West’s war fatigue and a pullback of the international support for Ukraine. Although world’s news reports about Ukraine did slow to a trickle, russia’s aggression didn’t. Ukrainians, inside and outside the country, continue to seek justice and accountability! Ms. Oleksandra Martviihuk decided to do something about it.

Ms. Martviichuk, together with her colleagues in the Center for Civil Liberties, is compiling a comprehensive dossier of war crimes and injustices brought on by Putin and his accomplices.

Arina Bilai - Activist, High School Student, Ukraine's Future, Kyiv

This Inside Ukraine story is about Ms. Arina Bilai, a teenager who is extraordinary for many reasons. Ms. Bilai didn’t fit into a typical mold before, nor does she now, as her nation is under attack. Arina always cared deeply about the environment and human rights; she casually mentions four years of activism behind her, which put her at 13 when she began paying attention to her surroundings. As I read Arina’s unbelievably mature perspective on life and surviving in the new world order, I can’t help but think about Ukrainian teenagers, nation’s young adults. Although their core memories will now include the scenes from the russia-brought hell, much more compelling memories were formed around Ukraine’s fierce defiance and collective unity. This generation has a lot to be proud of!

After reading Arina’s words, I am hopeful that humans like her will lead and bring Ukraine into Europe’s fold; properly represent us on the world’s scale. Furthermore, the aggressor state will have to face women like Arina Bilai for generations to come. Arina and her contemporaries will grow up avenging those who perished at the hands of the russian enemy. Future Arinas will ensure that all the unrealized potential of the teenagers and kids russia murdered, their unlived futures will be remembered, their stories told. Ms. Bilai doesn’t mince words, she leaves me hopeful and proud of what’s to come for Ukraine.

With this Inside Ukraine WOW Woman interview, I want to bring you reflections of one incredible human; I am honoured to call her a friend, and a little sister. In truth, I aspire to be like Arina. I’m forever inspired by her unwavering convictions and courage.

Ann Olsen - COMBAT MEDIC, ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE, MOTHER, UNDISCLOSED LOCATION

April 12, 2022 was a fateful day for Ms. Ann Olsen, a combat medic with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Her battalion was bravely standing their ground in one of the steel plants in Mariupol (southern Ukrainian city). Russian invaders overwhelmed Ms. Olsen with the heavy shelling and stormed her position. She was captured and taken, along with others on her team. Many brave Ukrainian souls perished that day.

As I read Ann’s words, I couldn’t help but think about time, the most precious of commodities. Russians take Ukrainian lives; they also rob Ukrainians of all the beautiful possibilities and memories time affords. Since the February 24th, 2022 full-scale invasion, Russian attackers stole 462 days of peace from 42 million Ukrainians. From Ann, russians stole 189 days of freedom. From Ann’s daughter, they stole memories with her mom.

Ann, a medic who continues to be a lifeline of her battalion, was held by the russian attackers for many months. Much was endured but she survived and was brought back to Ukraine via a prisoner exchange. Ann immediately returned to serve with the Ukrainian defenders. Below is her story.

I am forever grateful for Ann and thankful to the brave men and women of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Through sacrificing theirs, Ukrainian defenders and Ann present us with the gift of time. We cannot abandon them, in return. Please read and share Ann’s story; support and feel proud of Ukraine with me.

Lyubov Yankovska - Ukrainian Woman, Tireless Volunteer, Caring Soul, Mykolaiv, Ukraine

My latest WOW Woman is from the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv. “You have to speak with Tyotia (Aunt) Luba”, Ukrainian friend from New York (a Mykolaiv-native) wrote to me. Mykolaiv is one of many Ukrainian cities that heavily bore (and continues suffering from) the russia-brought pain and terror: non-stop bombings, deliberate damage to the city’s infrastructure and educational institutions (including universities, kindergartens and high schools), night-time destruction of civilian homes and apartments (and families inside them), complete electricity shutdowns in February and March, due to the city’s electric grid bombing, destruction of the city’s fresh water supply and the bombed-out humanitarian corridors (done by the russians to deliberately prevent people from escaping). But the city continues to hold on, and in spring of 2022, together with the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykolaiv bravely fought and pushed back a full-on russian ground assault, preventing a real threat of occupation.

Aunt Luba never left the city; she persevered through the cold temperatures and was one of the many residents forced to procure fresh water from the nearby river. Aunt Luba didn’t just stay, she was determined to resist the aggressor and do what was required in order to help the army and her fellow Mykolaiv-ites. For the past 26 years Aunt Luba worked at the Kropyvnytskyi City Library, among books, kids, local craft displays and senior knitting circles. Then February 24th came and with it, russian bombs. In an instant, an ordinary library became one of Mykolaiv’s centers of resistance.

Zoryana Mironishena - Hero, People Guardian, Good Samaritan, Irpin, Ukraine

My “Inside Ukraine” WOW Woman was in the middle of Irpin on, and long after, February 24th - the day of the full-scale russian invasion. On the day russians started bombing and entered soveregin Ukraine, Ms. Zoryana Mironishena, a member of Irpin City council, began posting first aid procedures, burn wound treatment steps, proper application of the tourniquet (a device that is used to apply pressure to a limb or extremity in order to stop the flow of blood) and encouraged Irpin residents to clean their weapons. She then informed the residents that the bridge, the main artery in and out of Irpin, has been bombed and destroyed. The City Council then shared Ms. Mironishena’s cell phone number publicly, for the purposes of coordination, spread of the reliable information as well as evacuation updates. It was then Zoryana started receiving over 2000 calls a day from panicked Ukrainians; she logged each call. As such, her new role commenced and Zoryana’s life changed forever.

On Ms. Mironishena’s public Facebook page there are messages from the worried Irpin residents during the first weeks of bombings (and later, occupation): “I am hugging you Zoryanka! Thank you for your resilience. You have such a nice voice. Your messages are a breath of fresh air for me and my children. I am coming out of the basement only with your permission.” - Olesya O. or “Zorya, sending you strength and patience! Take care of yourself!” - Yana I.

Zoryana became a beacon of hope for many civilians. She also became a target for the russian military, who taunted and threated her with torture (she has text messages to prove this). Russians, the fifth largest military in the world, taunted and threatened a woman (a civil servant, a PR / marketing specialist and a humanitarian volunteer) with torture. Just think about the state of their affairs -pathetic.

"Adversity does not build character, it reveals it,” wrote James Lane Allen. After Zoryana told me that she paid no attention to the russian threats, and continued doing what she needed to do - helping Irpin residents - she thus revealed and symbolized the fearless character of the entire nation!

ANNA OKARSKA - MILITARY PARAMEDIC, HEAD OF A MEDICAL FRONT LINE UNIT, UNDISCLOSED LOCATION

The entire Okarski family has been training and preparing for February 24th, 2022 - the day the sovereign nation of Ukraine was invaded by the russian enemry. The Okarskis are just “built different”, made of different DNA than most of us. From what I’ve witnessed and learned so far, they are the family with the nerves of steel and the hearts of gold. When the great grandfather, grand-dad, father and also the WOW Woman mother have all risked their lives for their nation, it’s no surprise that the youngest boy of 14 is serious, fearless and determined to do the same.

Mr. Eldar Okarski (Ельдар Окарський) is a student at the Heroes of Kruty Lviv State Lyceum, named after the heroism displayed by the Ukrainian youth at the Battle of Kruty; it is regarded as the best preparatory military educational institution in Ukraine. Eldar, who is in his second year of training, has dreamt of being a military surgeon since kindergarten, so Lyceum will serve as the first step toward achieving that goal. He also proudly talks about his mom, my Inside Ukraine WOW Woman Anna Okarska, whose career in saving lives helped Eldar envision his own future:

“My whole family has a military background”, says Eldar, “My great-grandpa was a medic, my father and grand-dad were sappers (a sapper is a combat engineer who performs a wide variety of duties; including bridge-building, laying or clearing minefields, demolitions, road and airfield construction and repair). My mother is a paramedic, a volunteer with the Ukrainian Hospitallers Medical Battalion, helps save Ukrainian lives daily.” On who inspires him: “Anna Okarska, my mom. My mom is the role model for me; how she built her career, and a (personal) price she paid to achieve her goals. It’s an honour for me to be able to learn from her mistakes. I understand how important her role is and I want to be like her.”

Dasha Otmorozova - DEFENDER, ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE, RACING CHAMPION, ATHLETE, UNDISCLOSED LOCATION

Many have asked me about the difference between Ukrainian and russian psyche, thoughts about the invasion, and how this war is playing out in people’s minds. I myself learned a lot from the Ukrainian response to the cruel and senseless acts of russian terror. I understood much about my own people; and I now clearly see the difference in mentality of the aggressor’s nation. After speaking with the countless Ukrainian refugees and those heroic women inside Ukraine, I realized two important distinctions that give me hope for this and future generations of Ukrainians: our humanity and our unity.

Our Inside Ukraine WOW Woman feature is on Ms. Dasha Otmorozova, a real life example of the hope I harbor for our nation. I learned about Dasha from an army photographer, the WOW Woman Iryna iSky’s Instagram page. Through the intense imagery on the IG page, one woman stood out in her fortitude and seemed to have a beautiful spirit as well as a dignified presence. I was correct in my estimation of Ms. Otomorozova. Dasha is as fierce and tough as she is caring and beautiful. Fighting alongside men on the front cannot be easy, it’s probably unfathomable for most of us; yet Dasha’s words unite all the volunteers, men and women, who are serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Through her answers, Dasha shines light on their collective humanity. I wish for nothing more than for Dasha to return safely home, to her family.

Ludmila Tereschenko - Chemist, Engineer, Boss, Patriot, Bila Tserkva

Words of introduction for this Inside Ukraine feature come from Mr. Serhii Lukianchuk, who proudly handed over the leadership of two manufacturing factories to our Inside Ukraine WOW Woman, Ms. Ludmila Petrivna Tereschenko. As Ukraine’s national sovereignty was challenged by the russian invader on February 24th, 2022, Mr. Lukianchuk immediately volunteered to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Serhii and Ludmila are coworkers at the Trivium Packaging Company. Before the war, they were just two people, working in an international company, focused on the production and supply of metal packaging for a variety of industries in Ukraine and Europe. After the invasion, these Ukrainians became superheroes; both stepping up in different ways to keep fighting and resisting, even amid bombs and destruction. Mr. Lukianchuk defends his Homeland and Mr. Tereschenko ensures factories’ success, workers’ job security and most importantly, nation’s uninterrupted supply of metal canned products. Ludmila is literally keeping the country fed.

This is the first time Ms. Tereschenko will be reading Serhii Lukianchuk’s words of appreciation, in this nomination for WOW Woman.

Anastasia Tykha - FEARLESS ANIMAL RESCUER, NO ONE LEFT BEHIND, IRPIN

Over the month of March, 2022, russian troops attempted to advance onto Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, as part of the full-scale, multi-city invasion. They failed. The Armed Forces of Ukraine pushed back and russians retreated; but not before revealing their true nature. Towns that took the brunt of the fighting were Bucha and Irpin.

This Inside Ukraine story is about a woman from Irpin who, upon feeling explosions hit her neighborhood, braved the freezing river crossing; but she didn’t cross the Irpin River alone. She brought a pack of 19 dogs in the various stages of disability and mobility. This story is about a 20-year old Ms. Anastasia Tykha. Ms. Tykha passionately cares for and attempts to rehabilitate wounded animals in her hospice/shelter called “House for Special Tails”.

Like most Ukrainian people at the moment, her patients are wounded and traumatized; and exactly like Ukrainians, her little creatures are surviving and bravely fighting for their lives. Russia’s attacks have enormously impacted and continue terrorizing Ukraine’s four-legged creatures. Since the war started, animals and pets get abandoned during panic of bombings, some escape in terror, are injured alongside their owners, or hit by the flying shrapnel.

Today, Anastasia continues to passionately care for the wounded, traumatized and dismembered dogs (and a few cats). She describes her home as a “respite-shelter for dogs with physical disabilities and mental characteristics.”

I am proud to highlight Anastasia, who represents the multi-dimensionality of a pure Ukrainian heart - caring for all beings, big and small. Nemo Resideo is Latin for: “Leave no one behind”. Anastasia truly practices this motto in real life and I couldn’t be more proud to know her.

Olha Zaitseva - SEARCH, RESCUE, FRONT LINE WAR VOLUNTEER, FIRST AID, SLOVYANSK, DONETSK

How to encourage and re-assure someone who, on a daily basis, risks her life saving everyday Ukrainians from russian bombs, russian shelling and russia-perpetrated terror?

Ms. Olha Zaitseva is the kind of person you’re instantly drawn to; you know the kind I mean. You want to chat to her while in line for the movie tickets, share her laughter as she passes you on the street, fight the urge to wave to her across a New York subway platform. It’s her aura of positivity and self-assurance. Olha has a presence of a mini (because she seems petite) warrior; her kind smile calms instantly. It’s apparent, from the images she sent me, that Olha doesn’t shy away from diving in, connecting with people and immediately securing their trust.

Even through our limited war-time communication, I’ve been touched by Ms. Zaitseva’s kindness and compassion; pulled in a million different directions, Olha finds a moment to send a kind word about my relatives in Zaporizhzhia (a city in the East of Ukraine, currently suffering from heavy russian bombing).

Dedication to the noble cause comes at a high personal price: time away from her son and facing personal danger. Olha misses her sisters, misses skiing, the mountains and her career as an Economist. Where Olha goes, even war reporters won’t travel.

Olha is a hero because every day she puts on a brave face. Olha is a hero because by risking her life daily, she reminds every Ukrainian that our freedom is precious. Olha is my hero because by choosing this path voluntarily, she is risking everything to help others.

Vita Kushnerevych - Couture Dressmaker, Army Seamstress, Kharkiv

At the end of 2021, Ms. Vita Kushnerevych’s plate was full: weddings, proms and the holiday party season was in full swing. Ms. Kushnerevych, a master craftswoman dressmaker, kindly accommodated all bridal requests and whims.

Then, on February 24th, 2022, russia started bombing peaceful Ukraine. Strikes against all major cities (including Kharkiv) began at 5.07 a.m.; in that instant, destinies and glimmers of future changed for every single Ukrainian. Vita, and all the brides and students she dressed had to flee for city’s bomb shelters, grooms and new husbands headed for the front. The war in Europe began, with one aggressor country advancing on its neighbour.

Life in Kharkiv became hell in 2022, and a year later russians continue ravaging Ukrainian cities with the indiscriminate bombings and occupation. The distance from Kharkiv to the russian border is about 40 kilometers, or 25 miles. Russians took advantage of that distance, by bombing and destroying infrastructure, hitting residential buildings and leveling schools and hospitals. People in Kharkiv have been killed in their homes and in the streets, in the playgrounds and in the cemeteries, while queueing for humanitarian aid, or shopping for food and medicine.

Vita Kushnerevych’s attention to detail and skilled hands found a new purpose, in this new reality. Vita started creating functional, high-quality camouflage protective wear for the army, for Ukraine’s defenders and for territorial defense volunteers. Vita now works under the oil lamps, when russians blow out power grids, she works during the day next to the taped up windows, as she stitches and re-stitches her pieces made with care and precision.

Iryna iSKY - PHOTOGRAPHER, ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE, CREATOR, UNDISCLOSED LOCATION

As I lie with my newborn on my chest, skin-to-skin time, she is content and listening to my heart beat. She hears my elevated heart rate because I’m writing about the war in my country, but that is nothing compared to the sound the heart makes as it leaps from mother’s chest as she saves her child from the falling russian bombs.

I type this intro about the brave and beautiful Iryna, who has opened up about her desire for a child, writing so candidly about what the war took from her. I think about all the women inside Ukraine now: the entire generation of current and mothers-to-be; their hopes, their dreams and worries about bodies doing what they are supposed to, creating and sustaining life under extreme conditions of stress and war. I get angry, so angry. But I am also proud of Ukrainian women. Iryna could not have put it better: “Ukrainian women, collectively serve as the incredible stream of powerful energy; they create a protective shield for the State. When victory is achieved, women will shed their armor, literally and figuratively, and embody joy again.”

Daria PavlyuK - ILLUSTRATOR, ART TEACHER, Resistor, RIVNE

An entire generation of Ukrainians has been affected by the unprovoked russian aggression. This unjust war was initiated by our “supposed brothers”, whose true face was uncovered with the reports of the brutal atrocities carried out in the de-occupied territories, with each bomb that hit unarmed civilians, every destroyed home and the buried in its rubble mothers and children. “Brotherly love” didn’t end there, as russians came out in troves, for a hateful field day, commenting on social media posts depicting Ukrainian suffering. Brothers no more.

Ukrainian people seem to have different ways of dealing with the pain; one common theme women describe, in the “Inside Ukraine” series, is the ability to get acclimated to and cope with many (oftentimes difficult) stressors of the war. Most of us, on the outside, have never imagined waking up to such severe uncertainty, living with the multi-hour air raid sirens, receiving daily reports of the perished family members or killed college friends. The human and emotional wreck caused by the russian federation on Ukrainian soil is maddening and infuriating.

One way to understand and try to imagine the feelings of those on the inside, for me personally, has been to really look at the art produced by the Ukrainian creators. It is heart-wrenching to scroll through the artists’ themes as they change from the time/days/hours before Feb 24th, 2022 and the day and months following the invasion. Such is the unprecedented way this war has been recorded by entire Ukrainian population, in real time. One of the cathartic, for me, places on the internet has been with the works of Ms. Daria Pavlyuk. She proves that not only storytelling is a form of justice, but so is creating.

Natalia Sorokina - EDUCATOR, PROFESSOR, ACADEMIC, DNIPRO

Since russia attacked sovereign Ukraine, I’ve witnessed every-day Ukrainians showing determination and resilience, fighting the aggressor with all their might. This “Inside Ukraine” feature is about Ms. Natalia Sorokina, a University professor and a WOW Woman. Ms. Sorokina teaches at the Dnipro Polytechnic, one of the oldest universities in Ukraine’s third largest city. Natalia is resisting the russian aggressor by providing ammunition for the next generation of Ukrainians; her Facebook is filled with posts encouraging Ukrainian students to present at the various scientific conferences and to remember to apply for upcoming scholarships. By staying and teaching in Ukraine, Natalia is demonstrating resistance and pushing young scholars to stay on the academic track, publish and continue applying for research grants. How incredible, as the war rages on, Ukrainians are determined to keep learning and pushing onward.

Many folks around the world are bewildered at how Ukrainians are able to function under stress, live in uncertainty and keep hope alive under a constant threat of russian terror. Those who expected Ukrainians to fold arms and surrender were left in shock and awe. When I take in collective Ukrainian resistance, one of the ways the spirit of the nation is apparent is through these calls for student participation; Professor Sorokina and her young Ukrainian scholars are eager to keep striving and learning, one scientific submission at a time.

Ukrainians will persevere! And I am proud to feature Ukrainian stories of defiance and resistance, in whatever shape or form.

Naya Novak - UKRAINIAN ARMED FORCES SUPPLYING VOLUNTEER, PR PROFESSIONAL, PATRIOT, KYIV

The goings on inside Ukraine right now, are nothing short of extraordinary. Ukrainians have never been more tired and angry, yet they remain united in channeling that anger into a collective push-back against a common enemy - the Russian Federation. Starting in 2022 (but truly in 2014 with Crimea), and continuing into today, Russians are grabbing Ukrainian land and indiscriminately killing, torturing an raping innocent Ukrainians, thus propagating one of the worst atrocities Europe has seen since the Second World War. Most Ukrainians have been living in limbo since February 24th, 2022; “living”, as an active verb, has been replaced with surviving, struggling and persevering.

Lies and propaganda from RF and its sympathizers have shown us, in the free world, the real power of the misinformation campaigns. These are the reasons I find it especially important to write and highlight individual humans behind Ukrainian resistance. These are the WOW Women on the ground, in Ukraine, who are leading and helping in war and other efforts. I started the “Inside Ukraine” WOW Woman series in order to show the world, with pride, what my homeland is capable of.

So, without further ado, please allow me to give you a glimpse into Ukraine’s future. I would like to shine a spotlight on Ms. Naya Novak, a self-labelled “Ukrainian Armed Forces Supplying Volunteer”. Volunteer is a term, as I found out from Naya, which these days refers to anyone helping the homeland win the war. Whenever someone is volunteering in Ukraine, you can bet they are either fundraising for the Defense Forces or helping in a humanitarian sphere; Naya is of the former kind. Because Naya does not post the link to her the page with her fundraising details, and I had to search for it in order to donate, I’ll post the link here, right in the intro, and save you the trouble later.