Last Friday, Feb. 24, marked the one-year anniversary of Russian forces invading Ukraine, and it still makes absolutely no sense to Anna Iankova.
“Why should civilians die because [Russian President Vladimir] Putin wants to prove to the world that he’s ‘the one’?” said Iankova, a Roland Park resident and compliance officer who moved to the United States in 2012 from her native Melitopol, a city in southeastern Ukraine.
“How is it possible that in the 21st century, in the heart of Europe, to have these kinds of actions and violations of human rights? I want to believe it’ll get better soon, but the Russians don’t care if it’s a hospital or children – they just bomb them. They just want to destroy their neighbor and its infrastructure.
“It’s hard to understand how people are so cruel and greedy and jealous,” she said. “People [in Ukraine] say, ‘Why are you doing this?’ It makes no sense.”
Last year, Iankova, 32, conceived and spearheaded the Ukraine Donation Drive, a community-based effort to collect and send medical supplies and other items — thermal blankets, tourniquets, first aid kits, body wipes, wound care kits, ointments, feminine pads, etc. — to a logistics center in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv. The supplies are then distributed to different cities and refugee centers throughout the region.
The initiative is conducted with the assistance of Beth El and Chizuk Amuno synagogues, as well as local churches, health care operations and businesses. Among the companies involved is Owings Mills-based Absolute Home Health Care, Iankova’s former employer, which was founded and is owned by Daniel Trosman, a native of Ukraine.
Iankova recently spoke with Jmore about the anniversary of the Russian invasion and the status of the Ukraine Donation Drive.
Jmore: Is the drive still in operation?
Iankova: Absolutely. It’s still going. We just dropped off some used clothes, and we’re working with some Goodwill stores. We’re stilling collecting medical supplies and sending handmade things over there for donation. Over the last year, people have given so much.
I do think people have gotten a bit tired of the situation and forgotten about it. Everybody has their own things to do. But from what we’ve collected over the past year, I think we saved a lot of lives. A lot of churches and synagogues have been doing a lot. Beth El and Chizuk have seen a huge spike [in donations], a lot of winter clothes and medical supplies.
Many observers thought Ukraine would capitulate to Russia within the first few weeks or months of the war. Are you surprised Ukraine is still fighting and thwarting Russian advances a year later?
I’m not surprised at all because I know that a lot of people over there are brave and very hungry for freedom. Theirs is a democratic tradition there, and the people don’t want to live under Russian control. It’s their lives, their homes — and it’s been a year.
There is an illusion of safety over there, because some people want to stay and don’t really want to become refugees. But there’s also less hope these days. …
I still have an apartment in Melitopol and my family told me there was a notice that the Russians want to take it over. That’s what they do. They put their soldiers in there to hide with civilians. They’re hiding behind civilians! It’s getting crazy, and who knows what will happen in the next month or so. I think March is going to be a rough month.
Do you still have family members in Ukraine?
My mom came here in July, but most of my family is still there. My sisters and their kids and husbands, and my father and grandmother, they’re all still there. My father feels the pressure to leave everyday, but he can’t leave his 86-year-old mother with dementia.
Was your mother traumatized by the war?
Yes. Everyday, she watches the news and it breaks our hearts. But she’s doing well now and working part-time. She’s been helping me out a lot.
Have you noticed any differences in perspectives on the war among local Jews whose families immigrated here from Russia and Ukraine?
Yes, I heard a little bit. Some people have said, ‘I feel bad about it all, but people are dying on both sides.’ I’m, like, ‘Yeah, but your soldiers are invading my country. It’s been a year and they’re still coming to kill our people.’ They’ll say it’s only Putin’s fault, but he’s only one person. Not enough people are standing up against him. The majority isn’t.
Your feelings on President Biden’s recent visit to Ukraine?
That was a big deal. He showed his support and didn’t worry about his safety. That was very inspirational. It meant a lot to have the [American] president in Ukraine. It gave people hope and showed them they’re not forgotten. People needed it.
How do you feel about American politicians who advocate decreasing or discontinuing aid and support for Ukraine?
I feel OK with that. America has a lot of problems as well. But if you have some extra, share. It should be managed properly. Do as much as you can. The Ukrainians are doing as much as they can in showing an example to the world. We have problems in the U.S., but we should also support democracy in other countries if we can.
In your eyes, is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a hero?
For a long time, people in Ukraine didn’t trust the government, including him. But they do now. He has given hope and inspiration to the country, that you can trust someone and their word. He deserves to be named ‘Man of the Year.’
Any predictions on how this conflict will be resolved?
It’s hard to say. It all depends on support from the U.S. and Europe. It’s a very complicated situation, and I think March and April are going to be very important months.
I’m just concentrating on saving lives and trying to stop this cancer.
What would you advise the average American who wants to help Ukraine in any way possible?
Just try to communicate with the Ukrainians and help the refugees here. Do what you can to help. Medical supplies would be very helpful, as well as providing temporary housing support. Also, touch base with the Ukrainian embassy in D.C. to see how you can help.
To contribute to the Ukraine Donation Drive, bring donations to Absolute Home Health Care, c/o Anna Iankova, 7920 McDonogh Rd., Suite 103, Owings Mills, Maryland, 21117, or email annaiankova@yahoo.com. Sealed, recently expired items or newly purchased items will be accepted.
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