Heartbreak of Ukrainians in Malaysia watching invasion from afar

Pictures and videos of Ukrainians defending their country have spread on news websites and social media. (AP pic)

PETALING JAYA: A week into the Russian invasion of her homeland, Olena Benedyktova’s spirit has not waned despite having to watch it all from afar in Malaysia.

Benedyktova, who has been teaching English in Malaysia for the past eight years, witnessed the invasion via Facebook posts of friends before they left the capital, Kyiv.

“Their homes were among the first to be bombed in the early morning of Feb 24,” she said sadly.

Benedyktova is one of about 100 Ukrainians working in Malaysia. Born and raised in Cherkasy in central Ukraine, 42-year-old Benedyktova said it was heartbreaking to see her once liberated country being ravaged by its larger neighbour.

Olena Benedyktova.

“We knew Russia was gathering troops at the border but none of us took it seriously. We would joke about eating popcorn while watching Putin on social media threaten to attack Ukraine – it had to be a joke,” she said.

But panic set in when tanks began crossing the border and the bombing of cities began.

“It’s distressing. I have friends sending me daily reports from bomb shelters. I fear for them, my family, and Ukraine…that Putin will destroy our homeland and kill everyone,” she said, her voice breaking.

Fortunately, she said, her family in Cherkasy is far from the front line. She does not see Russia having any strategic reason to attack such a small city.

Asked how she copes with the emotional duress when reading the news, Benedyktova says she talks to her family every day via chat messaging.

“I am also in a chat group with Ukrainians in Malaysia where we update and support one another. We are all worried about loved ones back home.”

The invasion has angered her and strained ties with Russian acquaintances.

“It has been difficult to maintain relationships with some of my Russian friends and those who side with Putin’s inhumane actions or are keeping quiet about it,” she said.

However, Benedyktova said Ukrainians were still hopeful and were driven to take up arms to defend their people, culture, and homeland. “I have friends who are fighting in Kyiv.”

She also took solace in the fact that her government and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have been very proactive in speaking to the European Union, Parliament and taking to the streets to help.

“I am hopeful that we will come out of this on top. We will not surrender.”- FMT