Lindenhurst Woman Fears For Her Family In Ukraine: 'I'm Scared'

LINDENHURST, NY —While many people on Long Island are watching Russia’s invasion of Ukraine from a distance on television, many residents are living the raw terror through the eyes of their loved ones.

Nataliya Sova, 72, of Lindenhurst, recently spoke with Patch, with the translation assistance of Olga Donalds, about how her daughter and three grandchildren were being affected by the war.

“Every day I'm crying. I'm scared about them because I don't know what happened,” she said.

Sova immigrated to the United States 25 years ago, she said. For the past 10 years, she has worked as a caregiver and sends money for her daughter and three grandchildren who live in Lviv, Ukraine. Her first great-grandchild, a girl named Solomia, was born seven months ago.

Now, however, Sova doesn’t worry about their financial situation, but instead, their livelihood.

“ The first couple of days (of the invasion) I'm crying the whole night,” she said. “I'm not sleeping. I call every minute because I don't know what happened.”

Sova said that before the invasion, she learned of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plan of attacks by watching American news. However, when she tried to tell her family, no one believed her.

“I told my family to be careful, maybe go to another country, maybe do something,” she said. “Nobody believes — my family says ‘no’,” she said. “Then in the night my grandson called me and he says, ‘Grandma, it's war’.”

Since the invasion started, more than 1.5 million people have fled Ukraine. Sova said that her family decided to stay in Lviv, because of the health of the baby.

When Solomia’s mother was pregnant, Solva told Patch, she contracted the coronavirus. Solomia was born with jaundice and her health is still a concern.

Sova said she calls her daughter at least three or four times a day, to stay updated on their wellbeing. The last time she saw her family, she said, was three years ago.

“Something can happen every minute,” she said. “ I can’t look (at the news) sometimes. I can’t look.”

According to Reuters, thousands of people have fled to Lviv from the eastern part of Ukraine, because it is only 40 miles from the Polish border. The city has become a transit point and last stop for families who are fleeing the country.

Some aspects of life remain normal, she said. For example, her granddaughter attends elementary school online.

Her family has undertaken efforts to support their country. For instance, her daughter and one grandchild are knitting large blankets, to camouflage Ukrainian tanks.

Her daughter’s husband has been enlisted as a night security patrol officer.

“Everybody is afraid of the war. But if you have to go, you have to go," she said.

Sova told Patch that she’s constantly in a state of panic, never knowing what might happen after she hangs up the phone.

“Putin is a crazy man,” she said. “Nobody knows what he is about to do, today or tomorrow.”

Watching the destruction of Kyiv, she said, has been devastating.

“My country is beautiful. It’s a beautiful city,” she said. “My heart is crying, and I’m dead. Completely dead.”

Luckily, the support of her Lindenhurst community has been comforting in such dark times, she said.

Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Church is currently raising money and accepting supplies for displaced Ukrainian families and civilian soldiers.

Suzie Bolger, the organizer of the drive, told Patch last week that many parishioners at Holy Family are in situations similar to Sova’s.

"I know those families, and I know that they're hurting,” said Bolger.

So far, the church has raised more than $14,000 and numerous donations of necessary items.

Sova told Patch that the day she will be able to rest is the day her whole family can leave Ukraine and live with her in the United States.

“When I take my family to America, I will be so happy,” she said, sobbing. “I am alone here. It’s my big dream.”

To give a monetary donation through Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Church, click here.

You can also purchase items on Holy Family's Amazon Wishlist here.