Ukrainian sophomore Rostyslav Kopach is superimposed on images of war torn Ukraine. Rostyslav is one of millions of Ukrainians who have been displaced because of the conflict with Russia. Graphic by Chloe Nugent
By Ellie Cooper
Sophomore Rostyslav Kopach fled Ukraine with members of his family arriving in the U.S. last April.
“I think the hardest moment was when I realized my brother could not come with us because we were near the borders with Poland and it was mobilization,” he said. “I mean all men from 18 and older can't cross borders. It was really hard for me, for my mother and sister.”
Russia launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24. Since then, the UN Human Rights Office has recorded over 5,000 civilian deaths and over 8,000 civilian injuries, internally displacing nearly 7 million and forcing over 6 million to flee to neighboring countries.
On only the first day of the invasion Rostyslav could sense the gravity of the situation, and the tumultuous conflict that would follow.
“I woke up not because of my alarm but because of planes [on the first day of the invasion], helicopters and stuff like that,” he said. “It's hard actually because all my friends are in Ukraine right now and half my family too. They're so strong.”
Rostyslav, accompanied by his mother, sister and their cousin Sofia Ivanishiv crossed the border in Poland, where they stayed for about three months, without Rostyslav’ brother.
After the family realized they were eligible to move to the U.S, they went to the airport and took a flight to Spain. From Spain they flew to Mexico, then entered the U.S. from there. They chose Highland Park because Rostyslav's father had some business here.
Rostyslav's father was already in San Francisco, but when he learned his older son and father would be forced to stay, he decided to return to Ukraine. Although Rostyslav’s brother, grandfather and father are still in Ukraine, they aren’t serving in the military. There’s a partial mobilization in effect, meaning that any military aged men, 18 to 60-years-old, are not able to leave because they may be recruited for war later.
"I woke up not because of my alarm but because of planes."
“I think [one of the most challenging aspects was] when my father was in the U.S., in San Francisco, and after my brother's situation, he went to Ukraine to help him and his dad, my grandfather and to rescue his business,” Rostyslav said.
Rostyslav and his family are just a few of the thousands of Ukrainian refugees taking shelter in the U.S. Kopach’s hometown, Lviv, in the western part of Ukraine, was hit in several rocket attacks earlier this year.
According to Rostyslav's cousin, Ivanishiv, the town has been suffering.
“It has been a difficult week for Lviv as several rockets have been fired,” Ivanishiv said. “As a result of rocket attacks, electric substations were damaged. Lviv residents now have problems with their water and electricity supplies.”
Rostyslav’s mother, Marta Kopach, explains that despite the fact that Lviv is in western Ukraine, farther away from Russia, the region hasn’t been as safe as the family hoped it to be.
“Our region is pretty safe, but it’s a war and nobody knows what will happen,” Marta said. “There are some quiet periods and sometimes very anxious [periods].”
The move from the Ukraine has not been easy on the three of them. As well, the three of them had never been to the U.S. before, so they all are experiencing a degree of culture shock.
“It was difficult [adjusting], at first, but the Americans were very friendly and helped us,” Rostyslav said. “All [of the] Americans [I’ve been around] are very friendly and communicative. [They] talk a lot.”
Marta expressed similar sentiments about cultural differences in the U.S.
“We are very different [in Ukraine],” Marta said. “We don’t smile so much. We are not so friendly to all, especially when we don’t know the person. We don’t say ‘hello’ to each person on the street, only if you know [them].”
Adjusting to life in the U.S. has also been challenging because the group has no friends or direct family here. Marta appreciates how friendly Americans are, but still doesn’t feel at home. Her son, Rostyslav feels similarly.
“Everyone was friendly, [but] I can’t say that I found a real friend,” Rostyslav said. “I didn’t have enough time.”
The family can only stay in the U.S. for one to two more years according to Rostyslav, so they will likely return to Ukraine in that time. Despite the hardships the family has faced fleeing the turmoil and violence facing Ukraine, Marta stands by their decision.
“Things [didn’t] really matter,” she said. “At the moment [what] was important [is] to stay alive and save your family.”