Sophie Shuliakovska, Communications Specialist, Disseminator of Truth, Ukrainian In Europe

It is a gift to discover an authentic human who is calmly serving factual information Into the cacophony of online noise. The human I’m talking about is the Ukrainian Ms. Sophie Shuliakovska who, with a soothing voice and in a captivating manner, shares amusing and erudite tidbits about Ukrainian culture, history, cuisine, stories of the renowned Ukrainian philosophers, artists and much more. Ms. Shuliakovska records her videos in English and releases them into the ether, unvexed by the number of views; what matters is that she tries. As a Ukrainian, I applaud Sophie’s efforts to highlight my homeland and as a creator, I appreciate the thought that goes into editing and filming. I also admire Sophie for putting herself out there, talking to the camera, emoting and showing the world her true self; the last part I don’t take lightly because the russian troll army and those affected by the propaganda are vicious and come out in droves. Through all the negative comments, skepticism and whataboutisms, Sophie persists, because she is brave, because information is power, because freedom to speak the truth is more powerful than russian threats and because she is Ukrainian. I am very proud of Sophie and her efforts!

Following the full-scale russian invasion, I am pleased to see Ukrainian creators, activists and foreign supporters unite and cross-collaborate on all platforms as one allied force against the russian aggressor. It’s inspiring to be part of such global effort. Although our niches and areas of focus vary, and we may not understand each other’s tactics, we give respect where it’s due - each other’s concerted effort to show the world our Ukrainian humanity, fundraise and work hard to defeat our enemy and ensure that Ukraine perseveres!

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.

NEW STORIES, TO BE POSTED.

Read more about WOW Woman work in Ukraine here.