Ukraine-born citizens of Newton left wondering why their native country is under attack

Mariya Dovganyuk just wants to know why Russia invaded her native country of Ukraine. Inside the basement of her Newton home where she preserves and cultivates the culture of her Eastern European roots with museum-like displays, Dovganyuk’s eyes welled up with tears as she struggled to find an answer.

For more than 17 years, Dovganyuk and her daughter, Sveta Miller, have lived in Iowa. But their connection to Ukraine is still strong. Dovganyuk’s Newton home is open by appointment to the public, where she’s recreated a homey Ukrainian living room reminiscent of her childhood growing up in a village near Vinnytsia.

In 2019, Dovganyuk and her family traveled to Ukraine, which she described as a country filled with hard-working, hospitable people, who are proud of their culture and history. Even when times were tough, Ukrainians would find time to raise children, cross-stitch delicate patterns and make colorful embroidery pieces.

Now, three years later, Ukraine is at war after Russian military forces invaded the country in what President Joe Biden has described as an “unprovoked and unjustified attack.” Dovganyuk does not understand why people from another country are storming into Ukraine and killing her people.

“Russia has big land. Huge land. They have enough land to live. They have food to eat, right? What do they need from Ukraine? … Why has this happened? Why?” Dovganyuk said. “It’s hard and I know so many Russian people against war. But it’s happened. And they’re killing our people.”

‘I WAS HOPING IT WAS ALL TALK’

Conflict between the two countries has persisted since 2014 but came to head with the recent invasion. Miller learned of the attacks against Ukraine late Feb. 23 (timezone differences in Ukraine meant the country was attacked Feb. 24), but she followed the news of the Russian military buildup for much longer.

“That was quite a shock because I was hoping it was all talk — but I guess it wasn’t,” Miller told Newton News. “Our friends keep telling us about the Russian army that kept congregating around the borders. A lot of the borders have had armies for many years. But they kept noticed them increasing.”

Miller lived in Ukraine until she was 15 years old. Her older sister moved to Iowa prior to her family immigrating to the United States. Miller still keeps in touch with friends living in Ukraine, and she worries about their safety. Although she follows the news for updates, Miller is trying to limit herself for her own sake.

But it’s difficult, especially knowing loved ones are affected. Making sure her mother is not being overexposed to the constant updates is a challenge, too. Dovganyuk has good friends in Ukraine. She’s worried. Miller knows this but she finds herself asking her mother to turn off her phone for a little bit.

“She didn’t get any sleep last night,” Miller said Feb. 24. “(I told my mother), ‘You need to try to practice some self-love and self-care.’ Because it consumes your whole body. You just want to know more and you want to read more. But there’s not very much we can do besides praying.”

‘I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SEE A WAR’

During her family’s 2019 trip, Miller’s nephews were able to meet their great-grandmother and great-grandfather before they died in 2020 and 2021, respectively. In a morbid way, Miller is grateful her grandparents are not alive to see the attacks on Ukraine.

“It’s sounds bad, but in a way, at least, I’m happy that they don’t have to live through this,” Miller said. “My grandpa was in World War II. He was fourth grade and they pulled in from school so he could go help. To live through another war, that would be really hard for him.”

Although the two countries have not always got along historically, there are a lot of families in Russia who have relatives in Ukraine, and there are many families in Ukraine who have relatives living in Russia. Miller said it is difficult to imagine how one country would be an aggressor towards potential family members.

“I never thought I would see a war happening in Ukraine, in the country where I lived,” she said. “It was never this bad, obviously. There was always some kind of issue and there’s a long history of oppression of the language and the literature and the culture.”

Miller was in first grade when Ukraine gained its independence, a time when the country was trying to rebuild its culture. But it never felt like it was a sure thing.

“There was always that kind of doom hanging over you,” Miller said.

‘THEY ARE PRAYING FOR UKRAINE’

Biden issued a statement following the attacks on Ukraine, blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin for choosing “a premeditated war that will bring catastrophic loss of life and human suffering.” The president said Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction the attack will bring.

Following the attacks, Biden spoke to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyyand condemned the attacks. Zelenskyy asked Biden to call on world leaders to speak out clearly against Putin’s aggression and to stand with the people of Ukraine. Local leaders have issues similar sentiments.

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley called Putin “inhumane” and compared the Russian president to dictator Joseph Stalin. U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst said Ukraine wants its freedom and the free world must stand with the country and its people.

State Sen. Zach Nunn, whose district represents a portion of Jasper County, has been stationed in the Ukraine in the past while serving the United States Air Force. On Twitter, Nunn shared videos of the attacks and said that Putin not only attacked Ukraine but “every pro-democracy freedom loving country in the world.”

Nunn added, “Russias’s unprovoked invasion is an attempt to gain back power and revive the Soviet Union. Putin is pure evil — we should be doing everything in our power to stop him. #StandWithUkraine.”

Miller said friends have reached out to her, expressing their condolence, their prayers and their support for Ukraine.

“This is just a horrible situation,” Miller said. “I know a lot of people want to do things. And I’ve seen on social media so many of the people — American people — who have been really supportive and saying they’re praying for Ukraine or that they’re standing with Ukraine. I think that, to me, has been such a big…”

Miller pauses briefly. Her voice trembles when she continues talking.

“Sorry. I don’t know, people are noticing and people care. Ukraine is far away from Iowa and the United States. So to see a lot of people I know in Iowa kind of post that they are praying for Ukraine just means a lot.”

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com