Ukrainian mother and son find safety in Cleveland

CLEVELAND — It has been greater than 9 months since Russia invaded Ukraine. The nation claims Russia continues to assault its energy grid, leaving many civilians at nighttime and chilly as winter units in.

“We discovered this bomb shelter,” she stated, taking a look at a video. “So in a while, this below the church, like (a) basement.”

Dobronos and her son, Andrii, discovered their strategy to america three months in the past, however they nonetheless have family members again house.

“It is actually heart-breaking, as a result of, , that a part of our households is there and associates, plenty of associates are nonetheless in Ukraine,” she stated.

They’re at the moment staying with distant kinfolk, who’re offering them security.

“We really feel secure right here, and that is the primary factor,” Dobronos stated.

Whereas they could be secure, that is not the case for her husband, a former surgeon whose solely alternative was to remain and combat. This left Andrii with a combination of emotions.

“I used to be, like, each scared and pleased with him, as a result of, like, that is the one method our independence may very well be saved,” Andrii stated.

Dr. Taras Mahlay understands that sentiment. He is a doctor on the Cleveland Clinic with Ukrainian heritage who travels backwards and forwards to his house land.

“Truly, I’ve a cousin which I talked to in all probability weekly,” he stated. “She’s a doctor, and she or he spent many days in a row within the hospital. And I do not know the place she will get the power.”

That power will proceed to be examined as winter settles in and the bombs proceed to fall.

“They need to to kill each folks and (make) this land like with none Ukrainians and to get complete nation,” Dobronos stated. “So now we’re, we’re preventing.”