For Ukrainians, life since the Feb. 24 Russian invasion has been about bombings, water and power cuts, separation from family and friends and not knowing what the next day will bring. But it has also been about the hope that someday soon the nightmare will come to an end.
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Tuesday marked 300 days since the war began and Israel Hayom asked Ukrainian children to draw a picture of what most stood out to them about the events.
Karina Grinchuk, 8th grade, Bila Tserkva, central Ukraine
"Feb. 24 was the worst day of my life. For a few weeks after the start of the war, we couldn't come to terms with the terrible reality. The fear in my relatives' eyes, friends leaving abroad, news of annexed territories: all this will be etched in memory forever. In the past, we read about wars, and listened to the stories of our loved ones [who experienced them], but never thought that we ourselves will go through these events that should never have happened.
"The war united the people, regardless of social status or political opinion. Not only did our enemy not expect this, but neither did the whole world. The war brought our nation together to prove our identity and achieve the victory we hope for. The war showed the world that Ukraine is an independent and strong country. I believe that the Ukrainian army will win and that gives me hope. I want to see my relatives cry with joy rather. I want to wake up in the morning knowing that I am safe. I dream of visiting family in Crimea, the Carpathian Mountains, in Europe. Everything will be rebuilt, but we will never be able to forget and forgive."
Mykhaylo Profis, 5th grade, Chernivtsi, western Ukraine
"I miss traveling around Ukraine, miss the friends who left abroad. I really hope that everything will end soon and that Ukraine will defeat the aggressors. It is very difficult for me with the power and water cuts. I don't want to live in such conditions. I want me and other children to have a happy childhood."
Victoria Petronko, 7th grade, Chernivtsi, western Ukraine
"In between the sirens, we fantasize about what will happen after the war. We dream of quiet nights and wait for our defenders to return from the battlefields. We imagine how we will hug our parents, play with other children and go to school, and how the Ukrainian flag will be hoisted across the entire country."
Oleg Sarbinsky, 4th grade, Chernivtsi, western Ukraine
"War is the greatest crime against humanity. It brings pain, loss, ruin, and destruction of life. I miss my friends who had to go abroad, and I dream that the war will end soon and that I will be able to go to the sea. I believe that our army will always protect us from the enemy. Glory to Ukraine!"
Liza Freimak, 6th grade, Bila Tserkva, central Ukraine
"We woke up to the sound of explosions right next to our building. My parents quickly got me and my sister, dressed us, and packed our things. They didn't explain anything to us, but I understood that something terrible had happened. We didn't know what to do, and it wasn't just our parents, but everyone. There were a lot of cars on the road, lines everywhere, and a feeling of terror in the air. Many fled the city.
"We stayed, and for about two months living in a shelter with other families. Most of my friends left abroad. We are trying to keep in touch. We all believe that Ukraine will win and that our army is the coolest and bravest in the world. I hope that after we win, my family will get a dog and be able to travel to the Black Sea and the Crimea."
Eda Katz, 10 years old, originally from Kyiv, now living in Amsterdam
"Most of all, I miss my friends in Kyiv. When the war started, we left in a hurry, everything was incomprehensible and frightening. I remember that we waited at the border for 14 hours and it was very cold. I dream that the war will end and we will be able to return home and see everyone. I don't really like being here, I don't have such friends here as I had back home. No relatives, I feel like a stranger. I wouldn't have chosen to come here. When the war is over, I will dance with joy and have a big celebration."
Kyrylo Ziatkivski, 2nd grade, Odesa, southern Ukraine
"I dream of the war ending and being able to go to school, to the beach (Odessa is very beautiful), and not being afraid that a siren will go off and that we will have to run to a shelter and sit there for an unknown amount of time. I wish for every child that their parents will return. I really want us to have electricity, now that it is off all the time."
Daria (Dasha) Kononko, 2nd grade, Chernivtsi, western Ukraine
"When the war started, I was very scared. Everything around me was gray and dark, I slept badly and wanted to cry. I missed my relatives who were drafted. Now we have many sirens and there are power cuts. My dream is that the war will end (and my drawing is of a dog that sniffs mines).
Katya Novoselkaya, 4th grade, Odesa, southern Ukraine
"I woke up in the middle of the night on Feb. 24 because of the explosions. Grandma calmed me and my younger brothers and said that a war had started. Most of my friends left – to the US, Europe, Israel, and other places. I really miss them and want to see them not only online. I believe that we will push out the enemies from our country and everything will be fine."
Maria Petrash, 5th grade, Bila Tserkva, central Ukraine
"I will forever remember the morning of Feb. 24. I woke up at 04:45 a.m. to the sound of scary explosions and didn't immediately understand what was happening. My 3-year-old brother also woke up, got scared, and started crying. Mom hugged us tightly, and dad said that a war had started. The explosions got stronger and more frequent, and I thought they were right next to me. For the next few days, we lived in the basement. I really like to draw and it calms me and distracts me a bit from what's going on.
"By now, I've learned to distinguish by the sound when a rocket has been intercepted and I've learned to do my homework by candlelight because there are frequent power outages. I also know what it is to store water and food. Every morning I thank our army, thanks to which I can go to school and meet my friends. I believe that soon the long-awaited victory will come and we will all be able to live in our quiet Ukraine, and sleep at night without sirens. I want every boy and girl in Ukraine to meet their father who is returning from the battlefield and hug him very tightly."
Most of the children participating in this article are students of the ORT Jewish schools in Ukraine.
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