Ukrainian pop star details escape from war to US to use her voice: ‘The war must be stopped’

Oleksandra Zaritska woke as much as a telephone name on Feb. 25 at 5 a.m. On the opposite finish of the road was her mom informing her Russia’s conflict on Ukraine had begun. From there, her “large” – and courageous – journey from Kyiv to the US would start.

Zaritska, often known as Sasha, is the frontwoman of the favored Ukrainian pop band Kazka. Kazka meant to have fun their five-year anniversary collectively weeks in the past, however Russia’s invasion of Ukraine scrapped these plans.

Sasha was the lone member of her band to flee Ukraine and journey to the US to carry out at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas. The 29-year-old performer arrived in Austin final week admittedly in a “dangerous temper” over the state of her war-torn nation, and the truth that she was with out her bandmates, consisting of three females at the moment in Kyiv, and three males who haven’t any alternative however to remain in Ukraine to assist their nation.

“It was a protracted journey,” Sasha informed Fox Information Digital in a telephone interview from New York Metropolis on Tuesday. 

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“Lengthy” is an understatement. Sasha, who was born in Kharkiv –  a metropolis that’s “now 90% destroyed,” she mentioned – was dwelling at her condo in Kyiv when the conflict broke out. She additionally has a house exterior of Kyiv. On Feb. 25, Sasha, her canine and associates traveled from her Kyiv condo to her home, which is round 2.5 miles from the Hostomel Airport. What was usually a 30-minute automotive experience took “5 – 6 hours” because of heavy site visitors as panic set in.

“All of us get to my home as a result of we was pondering that there can be a secure place as a result of this home will not be in Kyiv. On the primary day of conflict we had been pondering the conflict will likely be solely in Kyiv and in large cities. However really my home, it was close to the airport, and on the second day of conflict, this airport was bombed,” she recalled.

Sasha, her associates and a few relations, barely slept the primary 5 days of conflict.

“It was very arduous as a result of we heard large explosions, like on a regular basis, principally within the night,” Sasha mentioned. “My partitions had been shaking. Each two minutes we heard explosions. There have been such big explosions at one time that all of us, from totally different rooms, would run into the toilet. After this, on the sixth day, we determined to depart the home.”

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Kazka is made up of Oleksandra Zaritska (lead vocalist), Nikita Budash (keyboards, guitar), Dmytro Mazuriak (wind instruments_, Vasylyna Tkachuk (back-vocal) Daryna Salii (again vocal), Sizyk Iryna (again vocal) and Yevhenii Kostyts (drums).
(Andrii Maxymov)

Sasha took her three canine, her mom, sister and a buddy, and drove to the west of Ukraine. From there, she drove by means of Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and ultimately landed within the Czech Republic. She left her family members in Prague – the remainder of her household continues to be in Ukraine – and took a flight that stopped in London earlier than finally arriving in Austin final week.

“They’re secure, however I don’t wish to say that it’s secure as a result of I’m afraid there are not any locations for positive to be secure,” Sasha mentioned of her household nonetheless in Ukraine, together with her dad, who has ammunition and a uniform to battle. “As a result of the sky is open, we’ve a harmful sky, so that you’ll by no means know.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, Sasha nonetheless has no clue what’s left of her home exterior Kyiv. “I do not take into consideration this an excessive amount of as a result of it is actually terrifying for me to know that in my home in all probability lives Russian troopers, or perhaps they burned my home already,” she mentioned.

“It is very arduous as a result of that is my dwelling, my dream. I all the time wished to stay close to the forest and I saved my very own cash that I earned by Kazka concert events and all of this and purchased the home. Now I do not know if this home even exists. But it surely’s OK, you understand why? As a result of it is only a dwelling and all of my household are secure and that is extra essential,” the musician added.

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Though she’s lacking her family members and her nation, Sasha mentioned she determined to journey to the US for her efficiency as a result of it is a spot she will be able to proceed to do what she does finest: use her voice.

Oleksandra Zaritska of Kazka and Charlie Sexton attend the SXSW Convention and Festivals at Speakeasy on March 19 in Austin, Texas.
(Amanda Stronza)

“I do know I am unable to do something in Ukraine apart from be a volunteer. I’ve a voice and I want to make use of this voice, so I’m right here to speak about this,” she mentioned of the conflict.

On March 19, Sasha took the stage at South by Southwest for its “Sounds From Ukraine SXSW Music Competition Showcase.” She was the one Ukrainian musician in attendance. Fortuitously, People supplied devices so the soloist may carry out Kazka hits. Then, she was joined on stage by Charlie Sexton for a strong efficiency of Bob Dylan’s “Masters of Struggle.”

“It was an enormous honor. The primary few days I really don’t wish to sing in any respect,” Sasha recalled of her arrival in Texas. “Due to Ukraine, I felt so sorry about all of it. However I’ve a lot help and so many requests for the individuals’s favourite songs and I made a decision to carry out.”

Sasha of Kazka performs onstage at SXSW. She tells Fox Information Digital it was one of many first instances she’s carried out for an American crowd.
(Amanda Stronza)

Performing “Masters of Struggle” was by Sasha’s design. “It was my straight message to Putin. I received large help from Charlie Sexton. We had been collectively on one stage, and he was enjoying on guitar. They’ve American musicians with me, these guys who actually was very useful. I used to be feeling not so alone in America.”

Sasha mentioned she hopes “Putin will see” her efficiency. She referred to as “Masters of Struggle” a “very highly effective music” in that it “will be an anthem of conflict and the message to all dictators on this planet.”

The Austin efficiency was additionally distinctive in that she received an opportunity to carry out for a majority of People.

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“It was like the primary time I carry out for People as a result of when we’ve tour there are principally Ukrainians there. Now, I really feel an enormous help, actually. I’ve no band with me, and it’s scary for me, however I felt a lot help from all people.”

At present, in New York, Sasha mentioned she hopes she can assist deliver her feminine bandmates to the U.S. to allow them to placed on charity reveals for Ukraine. On Wednesday, the singer had the honour of performing the Nationwide Anthem for the elevating of the Ukraine and American flags in decrease Manhattan. The occasion was attended by Mayor Eric Adams.

By way of what People can do to assist Ukraine presently, Sasha shared: “The conflict should cease. It needs to be stopped. Really People could make it cease a bit bit sooner. They’ll name and write to Congress, and so they can name to senators within the authorities to allow them to know you care about Ukraine. It’s actually essential. Additionally, present as much as rallies and protests and use your voices to assist Ukraine.”

Kazka is a Ukrainian band that performs pop with parts of electro-folk.
(JetSetter)

In the meantime, the Ukrainian singer mentioned she’s going to proceed to carry onto hope for her nation.

“I do know we’ll win this conflict as a result of our individuals stand for peace and fact. Individuals wish to be in a free nation, so they are going to stand til the top. I actually hope that the individuals will likely be alive, and it’ll cease as quickly as doable.”

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Though she did share a stark warning for different nations, together with the U.S.

“Russia won’t cease at Ukraine, really. Ukraine is preventing for all of Europe and the West, and that’s why we have to assist Ukraine and democracy for everybody. The conflict have to be stopped proper now, and we have to save all people. I feel we have to scream to all people and speak with all people. We have to say we actually take care of Ukraine.”