-Do you want to introduce yourself?

Yes. I’m Lizza, a 35 year old chemist. Currently I am living in Kyiv, Ukraine. 

 

-Are you working during war time? 

Yes, since February 24 I've been working as a volunteer journalist in the media and army. Before the war I was a research clinical blogger. I work for the humanitarian area too, supplying meds and food to the Ukrainian refugees and facilitating volunteers to reach their charities and other war organizations once they have arrived in Ukraine. Currently I'm helping a mother to find her son’s corpse. He passed away when a rocket landed next to him in Irpin. The mother told me that once she finds the body, she will be much more relieved. I economically contribute as much as I can to the army and other organizations. 

 

-Have you been physically or psychologically injured during these weeks?

Yes. On March first at 5 p.m. I was volunteering with my ex husband supplying food and clothes with my car. We were driving along a road adjacent to the radio tower of TV kyiv when two explosions took place. The rockets hit the tower and a lot of firing metal pieces were on fire and were falling like rain. When they hit the ground, little explosions occurred because of their speed and temperature. This attack happened unexpectedly as there was no aerial alarm to warn us as usually happens when a rocket is detected. The alarm sounded once we were bleeding. Five people died in that accident. The rain of metal pieces didn't stop for hours, but its intensity decreased progressively. The tower didn't fall when the rockets hit it, but some parts were broken. When it happened, we went out of the car and adopted the security posture, facing the ground. My ex husband got a wound in the forehead and his arm and my car was damaged. The control panel of the car wasn’t working, so we couldn't drive it. We called the ambulance and they asked for directions, but we didn't know exactly where we were, we were really confused. I stopped a man and asked him to bring us to the hospital. I feel that I saved his life because I prevented him from going to the metal pieces rain. Then, he brought us to the hospital, where there were other people that were injured in the same accident. I met a mother who decided not to get out of the car and tried to go home, but on the way a few metal pieces went through the bulkhead and damaged her daughter’s eye. In the hospital she underwent a surgery but it was unsuccessful and she lost her eye. My ex husband went under surgery as well and they took out little metal pieces from his body.

Fortunately, I wasn't physically injured. I guess my life’s mission is to rescue and help people. After that, my ex-husband moved to the western part of the city/country and I was mad at him in the beginning, but then I understood and respected his decision. We still are in touch with each other. I became a press officer of the Ukrainian army. Since I’m volunteering, I have freedom to choose the tasks I want to work on. These last weeks I have gone to hot areas to report how the Russian army is damaging and destroying towns and cities, once their troops change their location. 

 

-How has your life changed since you suffered that accident? 

I realized that I'm a rescuer and that's my mission. I can't do other things. There are a lot of different ways to fight this war. I have been volunteering from the very first day of the war with no days off. I feel lucky to be alive and having saved two people’s lives, more than feeling bad because of the war. I always try to focus on the good things. I have a really good sense of humor as well, so I often try to laugh about the situation. 

 

-Do you have any PTSD symptoms? Do you have flashbacks, nightmares or anxiety?

Well, when I accidentally drop the keys I get really scared and alert. If something reminds me of the attack, I start trembling. A few times per month I have nightmares as well. I went to Borodyanka, Bucha, East Ukraine, on April 7, after the Russian troops left on April first after occupying it on February 26. We went there to report how the town was damaged by the Russian’s troops. It was really impactful, the town was totally devastated. I remember I wasn’t able to speak English properly nor cry about what I was seeing. I saw weird things too, like a human’s shit in a kitchen. I had to be careful where I stepped on because there were some bombs buried in the ground. After a couple of weeks I still do the same when I walk in Kyiv, even though kyiv hasn't been occupied. I noticed that most of the houses lack of basic furniture, so maybe the troops had stolen them. I think Russians are angry because they are envious of our standard of living. But their low quality of life it's not our problem.

 

-How do you feel Ukrainian people are facing this situation?

I think there are a lot of people that become toxic during the war, and can't distinguish dangerous from safe people. They are super paranoiac, but I understand it. I often feel that  way too.

 

-I saw a boxing bag in the living room. For how long have you been boxing?

I bought that boxing bag after the war started. I wanted to be fit and ready for fighting, but I’m amateur.

 

-Do you think it is possible to have an agreement with Russia?

At this point it is not. They have damaged so much our country and Ukrainians’ lives. We have recognised borders stabilized in 1991. Why are they trying to occupy us? 

 

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