Maria Mykytiuk is one of many Ukrainians in Australia caught between two worlds. Although now safe in Sydney, she’s in daily contact with family in war-ravaged Bucha, not far from the capital, Kyiv. War affects every aspect of life there.
Warning: This story has references to violence and rape.
“After a night of shooting, with little sleep, the kids still went to school. They had to read under torchlight. But they are so resilient. They never give up,” she tells ABC’s Compass.
Since arriving here on May 29, 2022, Maria and her daughter Anastasia have been supporting the school from afar.
“I organise a project of exchange of letters and books from Australia to [the school in] Ukraine,” Anastasia explains.
Like many Ukrainians here, concern about loved ones experiencing the war has compelled them to action.
“My mum does a lot for Ukraine from here. She raises money from concerts. Meets the mayor. Signs petition,” Anastasia says.
Anton Bogdanovych runs rallies most weeks in support of Ukraine, and Maria Mykytiuk is a regular attendee. (Compass: Kim Akhurst)
Rally organisers Anton Bogdanovych and Olga Voronina have spent the past four years hitting the streets of Sydney to ensure Australia doesn’t forget Ukraine.
“Not one Ukrainian in Australia is not traumatised by this war in some way,” Olga says.
“We have relatives there. When my brother’s on the frontline that’s a constant thought at the back of your head. It’s everyday messages … it’s a constant worry.”
Maria often attends these rallies, where she shares her own harrowing experience of Russian occupation in Bucha, before she came to Australia, after Russia launched its full-scale occupation of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Maria Mykytiuk cared for wild animals before Bucha was occupied in 2022. (Supplied: Maria Mykytiuk)
Maria’s experience of occupation in Bucha
A wildlife veterinarian, Maria led an idyllic life in Bucha before Russian forces invaded the city back in February 2022.
“My life before war was completely like a dream,” Maria says.
Maria’s friend, Janno McLaughlin, tells Compass: “They lived in a big house; she had a vet surgery. Lots of animals, lots of responsibilities, lots of travel.”
“She was quite famous in Ukraine.”
A thick cloud of dark smoke rises over Bucha, Ukraine, after an explosion. Debris is scattered across the ground. (Supplied: Maria Mykytiuk)
On February 24, 2022, Bucha was occupied by Russian forces due to its proximity to the capital Kyiv.
“We would stay in the basement for many days,” Anastasia says.
“I could always hear missiles flying; I could hear explosions. Sometimes the walls would shake a little bit. It was really cold.”
When people started to grow ill, Maria decided to use her veterinary training to help civilians.
“My mum would go to other people’s houses, bring them food, antibiotics to treat them. Obviously, it wouldn’t be legal in normal circumstances, but it was the only options we had,” Anastasia says.
Maria Mykytiuk was shocked by the violent behaviour of Russian soldiers when they shot her dog. (Supplied: Maria Mykytiuk)
Although initially the Russian soldiers allowed Maria to help sick civilians, soon they grew violent towards her.
“They came to my garden and my dog was scared,” Maria says.
“I told the Russian soldier, ‘It’s OK, he’s very kind; just give me a second and I’ll put him away.’
“But in this second, the Russian soldier just killed my dog.
“I feel so angry, and I spat in his face. And after that, he hit me.”
This was not Maria’s only experience of violence at the hands of the Russians.
She witnessed the murders of friends. She was also beaten and raped by a Russian soldier.
“I’m a person with higher educational diplomas, I have two kids, I have very good and famous job, but there was nothing and nobody that could protect me,” says Maria of her time under occupation.
Maria’s experience of sexual violence led her to evacuate her children from Bucha.
They travelled to Australia on their own through a refugee camp in Poland. Maria returned to her home to help the sick people left behind.
“I feel guilty because maybe I should choose to go with my kids,” Maria says.
“For me, it was a moral dilemma to stay with my kids or to stay with my patients.”
When Bucha was finally liberated after more than 30 gruelling days of occupation, Maria was in disbelief.
“I remember the liberation, some Ukrainian military gave me a yellow flower and told me: ‘Bucha is free.’ And it was like big miracle, but with huge pain on the soul.”
Soon after, Maria travelled to Australia where she was reunited with her children.
Support of strangers in Sydney
Despite her new-found safety, Maria’s early days in Australia were plagued by post-traumatic stress disorder.
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“When I came to Australia, I started to feel trauma and depression. I could sleep all day, and I didn’t want to eat anything. Didn’t want to speak, even with the kids. I couldn’t even cook.”
But through the support of strangers, Maria found her feet.
Maria Mykytiuk was touched by the lunches made by the principal of a local Sydney school. (Supplied: Maria Mykytiuk)
Unbeknownst to Maria, the principal of a local Sydney primary school was making daily lunches for her children.
“[The principal] was genuinely being kind and treating us as if we are her own children,” Anastasia says.
“I didn’t believe such kind people exist,” Maria says.
Carolynne Wawrzyniak, a member of St Vincent de Paul, met the family not long after they arrived in Australia.
“Carolynne helped us with everything: with furniture for our new apartment, with scholarships to Kyrylo’s school. She is a fairy godmother for the kids,” Maria says.
Other new friends, such as artist Janno McLaughlin, also supported the newly arrived family, sending groceries when the family couldn’t afford them.
“I think Australians tend to put themselves down a little bit, because I think Australians basically are a very generous culture,” Carolynne says.
For Maria, the support of strangers compelled her to seek help for her trauma, and helped her overcome her depression and integrate into Australia.
“In this time I met lots of people. They are lighthouse. They help me to see my way and to go away from darkness,” Maria says.
Maria is not the only Ukrainian touched by the support of Australians.
“I think Australians are very kind and caring people. They like to support those against which the injustice was committed,” Anton Bogdanovych says.
Anton saw this clearly during an ocean safety session for Ukrainian children at the Bronte Surf Life Saving Club.
“We saw this older guy putting some blue and yellow flags on a piece of string,” Anton says.
“And I asked him, ‘Why do they have more blues on the sides?’ And he said, ‘I want those kids to know that they’re safe here, that now there is this big ocean that protects them from war.'”
Living life to the fullest
These days, when Maria and her children are not fundraising for Ukraine, the family’s experience of war compels them to live life to the fullest with their new friends.
“I will always remember all my friends from Bucha which I lost,” Maria says.
“But I’m so thankful and so happy to have my new friends in Australia.”
Watch From Ukraine with Love on Compass tonight at 6:30pm on ABC TV or stream now on iview.