Putting Faces to Ukraine's Crisis
Putting a family's face on the trauma of Putin's invasion of Ukraine | feb27.2022
Why, you may wonder, is a publication called WestVirginiaVille devoting an entire newsletter to Ukraine? There is the simple fact that Vladimir Putin’s reckless, cruel assault on the free people of Ukraine is an assault on a sovereign nation, and by extension an assault on the world’s conscience. But there’s a West Virginia connection, too.
Michael Willard is an old friend of mine and of many who’ve had West Virginia media, business, and political careers. I can’t possibly hope to sketch his rich story, which included a stint in West Virginia’s capital. His life traverses public relations, advertising, politics and writing (17 books!), and just general open-throttle living. He has worked with prime ministers, senators, and CEOs, and once had tea with the Shah of Iran in Tehran. For two decades, he advised businesses and politicians across Eastern and Central Europe, returning to the states after the 2014 Ukrainian revolution, which he supported. (See his Linked In for more). A chunk of his life has unfolded in Ukraine, where two of his daughters, Mia and Maria (aka Masha), live. Like their countrymen and countrywomen, they are stoutly resisting Putin’s attempt to make Ukraine a vassal state to his bloody, retro-czarist ambitions.
With Mike and Mia Willard’s permission, I have reprinted below the Facebook posts they have been making about the trauma gripping Ukraine, with additional photos sent by Mia. It is essential to peer behind the torrent of numbing headlines to see the individual, beloved human lives now on the line.
PS: Later this week, WestVirginiaVille will release a song-for-a-tyrant — a version of the poignant, timely “How Can I Keep From Singing,” dedicated to Vladimir Putin and the people of Ukraine. It will be sung by the ad-hoc ‘West Virginia-Ukraine Support Chorus,’ composed of Ron Sowell, Lady D, Bill and Becky Kimmons, Colleen Anderson and myself and produced by Bobby Lee Messer and our AmpMediaProject. Free subscribe to this newsletter for news of its release: WestVirginiaVille.substack.com. Or hit the orange button.
Be well. | Douglas John Imbrogno, founding editor, WestVirginiaVille.com
Young Women of War
2018 PHOTO FROM (from left): Mia and Masha Willard with their father, Michael Willard.
By MICHAEL WILLARD | Facebook post | February 25, 2022: 11:04 pm |
Have I introduced you to Mia?
You would like her. She's a 23-year-old with more gumption and guts than I have ever had, and I've done a lot of stuff some people find adventurous in my not very brave, everyman way.
She's an animal rights activist. She works for a Ukrainian think tank. She an American citizen by birth but she's Ukrainian. She speaks English better than you do.
Have I introduced you to her sister, Masha (Maria)? She's 31. You would like her as well. She's probably one of the nicest people I have ever met. She graduated from theatrical school a few years back.
We have what is called a blended family. Don't ask. It's terribly complicated.
Both my girls tonight are huddled with their mom in a Metro shelter about 10 minutes from their apartment in Kyiv.
They are frightened. But then, everyone in Kyiv feels the uncertainty of this insane war led by an insane Vladimir Putin.
Bombs and missiles are heard throughout the night. A plane was shot down just overhead of their apartment. Rumors abound that blood-thirsty north Caucasian Chechens—in the service of Putin—will lead a vanguard of door-to-door soldiers.
Mia and Masha, I assume, are the people dictator Putin calls Nazis.
That's so ludicrous. I laugh through tears. They are Ukrainian patriots who, like their younger sister, Valya, in school in Miami, believe strongly in freedom and Democracy.
The only Nazi-like person is the Russian president, Putin.
As long as there is a phone connection, I talk to Mia and Masha on FaceTime when their night is over.
I'm 6,000 miles away in a damned gated community in Orlando. It's not relevant. It's Mickey Mouse, the talking rodent. Sorry Chamber of Commerce, but get a life. There's a war for the world's soul going on.
It might be age, but I tend to have a difficult time conversing with M&M without breaking up in tears. I want to be by their side.
I lived 20 plus years in Ukraine. I call it my home. I've been through two revolutions for dignity and freedom. I've seen the dead in a line outside McDonald's on the Maidan.
Support Ukraine. There are things you can do for the Ukraine Army. Just ask, and I will send the information.
Did I ask you? Have I introduced you to Mia and Masha? You would like them.
They are young women of war. Think of them as you drink your coffee, and head off to your weekend golf games. There is a war going on to which attention should be paid.
‘The Scariest Day of My Life’
Mia Willard. NOTE: Mia supplied this photo to me and it did not accompany her Facebook posts.
By MIA WILLARD | Facebook post | Feb. 25, 2022: 10:57 am |
While we’re absolutely not panicking, today has been objectively the scariest day of my life. Around 4 a.m., our forces shot down the enemy’s jet nearly right above my house — coincidentally, when we stepped outside at our balcony. We saw the explosion close-up, rushing to the shelter. The jet then crashed a few blocks away, setting another residential building aflame. We've been hearing shellings the entire time. Whatever lies the delusional psycho tells the world, it's not a military operation. It's a full-scale war.
While our Armed Forces are doing an outstanding job sabotaging the enemy's paths to Kyiv (and not only the capital) and eliminating the threats when they get here, a battle for Kyiv could get worse if the negotiations further deteriorate. Some of the critical areas are getting ready for strong defense as we speak.
Apartment buildings are already being hit as a result of the fighting. Civilians, including children, die. Then, Russia calls us Neo-Nazis. I don’t know what a delusional world Putin lives in, but Ukraine would highly appreciate the world’s support in these dangerous times.
Please call on NATO to declare Ukraine a no-fly zone (we can definitely defeat the enemy on the ground) and support the Ukrainian Army via several options below. We, in turn, will do our best to support the Army here.
Thank you!
https://savelife.in.ua/en/donate/ /or/ The National Bank of Ukraine has decided to open a special fundraising account to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
‘What have you done, Vladimir Putin?’
Mia Willard undertaking target practice with a Kalashnikov in Kyiv. EDITOR’S NOTE: Mia supplied this photo to me and it did not accompany her Facebook posts.
By MICHAEL WILLARD | Facebook post | SATURDAY, February 26, 2022: 10:56 am |
It is the nights and early mornings that are the scariest. They listen for the air raid sirens, but sometimes the sound is faint.
The three of them — two daughters and their mother — sleep in shifts, wanting to remain alert.
Mia recently — before Putin made the biggest mistake of his life — went and took target practice. She learned how to shoot a Kalashnikov.
She, a 23-year-old animal rights activist who wouldn’t harm a flea, along with her sister, Masha, this morning talked of killing Russians if they attacked the family.
What have you done, Vladimir Putin?
You have become the scourge of the freedom-loving world. The brave Ukrainian fighters are giving you a bloody nose. You must be terribly embarrassed. You thought taking Ukraine would be a cakewalk.
This morning my Mia was in a better mood when I talked with her on FaceTime. There were no tears.
But nightfall was approaching.
‘The battle continues …’
Damage to the upper part of an apartment building in Kyiv on Feb. 22, 2022, after it was reportedly struck by a Russian rocket. EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a photo I added to this newsletter. It did not accompany Mia’s original Facebook post below.
By MIA WILLARD | Facebook post | Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022: 10:35 am |
Last night was the longest night in my life, spent at a local shelter we rushed to upon hearing heavy shelling and an air raid siren. Between trying to fundraise for the Ukrainian army and comforting a petrified cat, I tried to give little thought to 'what ifs'. What if Kyiv fell?
It didn't. I am and will be forever grateful to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Ukraine is fighting like hell, despite any — especially Russian — predictions, given a stark contrast in military spending of the two countries.
Earlier, Russia attacked the Zmiinyi Island in the Black Sea. "I am a Russian warship. I propose you lay down your arms immediately to avoid bloodshed and unjustified deaths. Otherwise, you will be bombed," the enemy's military ship announced to Ukrainian border guards. The soldier's last words were, "Russian warship, go f*ck yourself." All 13 border guards died. The gut-wrenching tape of the moment will be forever engraved in the hearts of Ukrainians. This is precisely why the aggressor underestimated Ukraine — we don't give up.
EDITOR’S NOTE: A group of Ukrainian soldiers thought to have died while defending a small island in the Black Sea after telling a Russian warship “go f**k yourself” might still be alive, officials have said. YAHOO NEWS LINK from Sunday, FEB 27, 5:55 am
Ukraine regained control of the Zmiinyi Island, as well as retained control over all major strategic cities this night.
The enemy, however, plays even dirtier than dirt itself. Yesterday, I heard a fellow animal rights activist died in the Kherson Oblast. A missile hit her — entirely civilian — house. Her 12-year-old son got her out of the wreckage only to find his mother dead.
Putin promised not to target civilians. Earlier today, a missile also hit a residential building in Kyiv. Yesterday, the enemy was shooting at a Melitopol hospital. The number of civilian casualties progresses by the hour.
As of today's morning, 198 civilians died, including 3 children.
Putin also said Russia wouldn't attack the objects of (non-military) critical infrastructure. In reality, Russia has been launching its missiles at a power plant and water storage — all threats are being successfully eliminated by our exceptional Armed Forces.
The battle continues. As the night comes, it usually gets worse. Russia has just announced it would be advancing in all directions after Ukraine's refusal to negotiate (which isn't true). All I have to say to Putin is what the Zmiinyi Island border guarder said, "Go f*ck yourself." Ukraine is united, and we have our home to fight for. Meanwhile, my sister and I are looking for a ride (when it's possible and relatively safe, of course) to donate blood.
As I won't stop repeating this, please consider supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces via either a link or SWIFT details below. They heroically save both our lives and democracy
https://savelife.in.ua/en/donate/ /or/ The National Bank of Ukraine has decided to open a special fundraising account to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Direct details:
For USD remittances:
SWIFT Code NBU: NBUA UA UX
JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, New York
SWIFT Code: CHASUS33
Account: 400807238
383 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10179, USA
Funds will be wired into account No. UA843000010000000047330992708
For GBP remittances:
SWIFT Code NBU: NBUA UA UX
Bank of England, London
SWIFT Code: BKENGB2L
Account: 40000982
Threadneedle Street, London EC2R 8AH, UK
Funds will be wired into account No. UA843000010000000047330992708
For EUR remittances:
SWIFT Code NBU: NBUA UA UX
DEUTSCHE BUNDESBANK, Frankfurt
SWIFT Code: MARKDEFF
Account: 5040040066
IBAN DE05504000005040040066
Wilhelm-Epsteinn-Strabe 14, 60431 Frankfurt Am Main,Germany
Funds will be wired into account No. UA843000010000000047330992708
PS: Memes & Resources
UKRAINIAN RED CROSS
WEBSITE: redcross.org.ua/donate/
iRAISER PLATFORM: donate.redcrossredcrescent.org/ua/donate/~my-donation
MEDIA SUGGESTION
TalkingPointsMemo has been doing a great job of coverage and analysis of the Ukraine crisis (one of their reporters has experience there). If on Twitter, here’s a a TPM roundup of good Twitter links to follow. TPM’s excellent editor, Josh Marshall, notes in a post at 10 a.m., today (Sunday, Feb. 27) Putin has put ordered the country’s strategic nuclear forces on alert in response to Western sanctions and what he called “threatening statements” from leaders in Europe. Marshall goes on to say:
“That means as little and as much you think. It underscores that while the punishing sanctions unveiled yesterday are merited this is nevertheless a spectacularly dangerous international crisis. Not just dangerous in Ukraine but for the whole world. At the same time, Russia and Ukraine have agreed to hold peace talks near the border with Belarus. They are talks without preconditions.
“… We shouldn’t fool ourselves about the spectacularly dangerous nature of the international crisis we’re witnessing. In many ways, the only thing more dangerous than this adventure going well for Vladimir Putin is it going badly for him. And it’s going really badly.” | READ ON