To the editor: As a Ukrainian dwelling in Los Angeles, I want this letter by no means needed to be written.
In February 2022, when Russia had began its full-scale assault on Ukraine’s existence, I wrote a letter to the L.A. Times about “Shchedryk” (often known as “Carol of the Bells” in a lot of the world) casting the music by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych as not solely my homeland’s cry for assist, but additionally a beacon of hope. I feel again to that model of myself, and I can not relate to her.
As we speak, my smartwatch notifies me of air-raid alerts in cities the place my family members dwell. The horrific “ping” sends me to googling to search out out what occurred. Are these “simply” drones, or is it a ballistic missile assault? If it’s the previous, are they Kinzhal or Iskander missiles?
My 2025 self is aware of so many navy phrases, but I lack easy phrases to speak about emotions — to reply the query, “How have you ever been?” from non-Ukrainians.
However because you requested, I’m wonderful. It’s simply that my cousin is at present on the entrance line. I name him “Little One.” He’s two years youthful than me, however he put collectively a will a number of months in the past. Little One has a will.
A number of days in the past, he texted me again after not responding for a month. That was day.
Shortly after I heard from Little One, there was an enormous assault on Odesa. My different cousin and his 2-year-old daughter dwell there. He’s an engineer who works for the native fuel firm. He responded that they had been wonderful.
However final New 12 months’s Eve, he was on the road throughout an assault on Odesa. A missile from briefly occupied Crimea actually handed above his head. His 14-year-old neighbor was killed.
There’s all the time somebody in my homeland who’s dying. I really feel I don’t should be requested, “How are you?”
However to offer folks the courtesy of a solution, I’m armed with devastating footage on my telephone. I nonetheless lack phrases. How do I clarify to non-Ukrainians that this might be actually the final warfare, the final peaceable days on Earth if there is no such thing as a justice for Ukraine?
I want I might deliver you the hope of “Shchedryk.” However this time, all I’ve are notifications from air-raid alerts.
Victoria Pidlisetska, Los Angeles
