Ukrainian Women’s Football Under Russian Missiles

Ukrainian women’s football has become a unifying instrument of the nation amid the Russian invasion.

Despite Russian war atrocities and inching towards possible nuclear or WW3, Ukrainian football competitions are in full swing under the official motto “We are of the same courage” to boost the morale of Ukrainians and the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Women’s football is no exception.

Here is an exclusive interview of a Ukrainian professional female football player, one of the key players of the Ukrainian Women’s National football team, WFC “ETO” (Hungary) – Tamila Khimych, who will share her insights into recent football and war developments in Ukraine, the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, adaptation process in the Hungarian championship, the latest war developments in Ukraine and the gatherings of the national women’s team.

The World Cup has kicked off in Qatar. It is topping the international agenda now, even more than the war in Ukraine. It is clear to many observers that Qatar bribed FIFA in 2010. Before its start, Infantino gave an emotional speech, saying: “I’m European. I think for what we Europeans have been doing for 3,000 years around the world, we should be apologizing for the next 3,000 years before starting to give moral lessons to people”.

Violations of the rights of women, LGBT people, migrants, etc., continue to take place in Qatar. But as many say – money comes first and it is impossible to change the Muslim laws of Qatar, but on the other hand, these same people shout: “We are for democracy and people’s rights”!

In your opinion, will the World Cup change Qatar’s laws? Or is money and hypocrisy more important for FIFA, and the main thing is to hold the World Cup even in a country where people are killed?

German football player Philipp Lahm did not go there and said that: “Human rights should play the most important role in choosing the host country of the tournament.” Do you agree with this?

Well, I will put it like this, every country has its own laws, everyone knew what their laws were and agreed to hold the World Cup anyway. And even if they wanted to change something, they would have done it before the start of the WC. Now I don’t think that anything will change there or somehow the World Cup will change the laws in Qatar. If they agreed to hold the World Cup, then it did not stop anyone and for someone, it can be really important. Most likely right many think that money played an important role in the first place.

In my opinion, the WC should be held in a country where all teams, players and fans will feel comfortable.

Lam said very good and correct words.

Viktor Orban recently came to a football match wearing a scarf with a map of “Great Hungary” (with parts of neighbouring states in its composition). In response to criticism on his Facebook page, he replied: “Football is not politics. Let’s not see what is not there. The Hungarian national team is the team of all Hungarians, wherever they live!”.

What is your opinion on this, and does FIFA need to honestly voice out that politics is in football and stands behind football, and not pretend that everything is okay? Because people get tired of their hypocrisy in action.

This is certainly an interesting moment, in my opinion, this was a very bad move on his part. I think that it is not the last.

They always say that sport is beyond politics, but everyone knows perfectly well that this is not the case. We should have come to terms with it a long time ago.

Ukrainian football competitions kicked off on August 23. On September 10, the matches of the Premier League of the Championship of Ukraine among women’s teams began as well thanks to the successes of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the support of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It’s both a unique and difficult season, and everyone is doing their best to keep it going amid the full-scale war.

Were you happy to hear the news about the resumption of the Ukrainian championship? Are there fears that, just like last time, the championship will be forced to stop due to increased Russian aggression?

In my opinion, this is the right decision to renew the championship, and I hope that it will end as it should. For many, it’s not just running with a ball, we live it, it’s our job, and it distracts a little and gives us emotions that we lack now. For this, we can only thank the President of Ukraine and all those who protect our country and give us the opportunity to do what we love.

At present, you play in Hungary. Can you tell us about adaptation in the new  WFC “ETO”, goals for the season and support for Ukrainians in this country? After all, Hungary does not support Ukraine in this war. Viktor Orbán’s policy in the EU itself raises many questions, especially after his speech in Romania (calls for peace with Russia on Putin’s terms), which shocked the whole world.

Well, I will say this, in Hungary, probably, the adaptation is the most difficult. It is still going on. Regarding some kind of support in this country, I cannot say specifically, because I have not seen anything similar anywhere in support of Ukraine. For some time, they gave a discount on train travel and nothing more.

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Following is an exclusive interview with a Ukrainian professional female football player of Georgian origin and one of the key players of the Ukrainian Women’s National football team and WFC “Kolos” (Kovalivka, Kyiv region) – Natiia Pantsulaia.

Pantsulaia shares her insights into the current state of football in Ukraine, recent war developments, the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, the Kremlin’s fake referenda as well as what could constitute Ukrainian victory.

Christine Karelska: Ukrainian football competitions kicked off on 23 August. On 10 September, the women’s Ukrainian Premier League resumed thanks to the successes of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and support from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It’s both a unique and difficult season, and everyone is doing their best to keep it going amid the full-scale war.

Were you happy to hear the news about the resumption of the Ukrainian championship? How do matches take place under martial law, during air raids alerts and without fans according to the regulations of All-Ukrainian Women’s Club Football Competitions? Aren’t you afraid to play under the pressure of a constant missile threat? Are there fears that, just like last time, the championship will be forced to stop due to increased Russian aggression?

Natiia Pantsulaia: I think that the country should not stop because the economy should keep working. Women’s football, of course, does not affect the economy much, but men’s football is a significant factor. It is very good that the championship has resumed, people have to live on.

Yes, the war continues, we all understand that. The Armed Forces are fighting for our freedom, and we have to fight for our economy so that it does not stand still because then, I think, the war will be lost. In regards to football matches, honestly, even 10 or 20 people who used to come to the matches, surely, we miss them much. But we were ready for this, we are conscious adults and understand what is happening in the country. Of course, the championship is completely different. And the very fact that we can do our work, of course, unlike others, in a completely different way, but being able to do it makes us happy.

I will not speak for everyone, I will speak for myself: there is no fear. My opinion is that I must be in my country. Let’s give credit to what is being done on the front lines, and it cannot be compared to the fact that we can hear a missile somewhere and get scared. Of course, everyone’s level of panic is different. In our country, maximum attention is paid to safety. This is normal. We don’t have to get used to it, but we have to be ready for anything and play during martial law.

Recently, you made a story on Instagram about the moral state of Ukrainians, a special feeling. It seems that there is positive news, but we cannot fully rejoice because the war is not over and Bucha, Izium are being repeated on a daily basis. Is it mentally difficult to go to training sessions and matches? After all, now you are playing in the Kyiv region, where people are still afraid of a renewed attack from Belarus, a Dagger missile attack on the decision-making centres, and, generally, attacks on our critical infrastructure?

It is obvious that there is a double sense. We must not stop and must live on. We can’t be 100 per cent happy, and that’s right because somewhere people are dying, and somewhere else people are celebrating a wedding. Life does not stop, but I believe that you need to find a balance, to be able to rejoice, but not to show it to the whole world because someone, at the moment when you rejoice, loses their relatives. And this is not just about disrespect, there should be more compassion.

First, these are the people who do everything for others to be able to celebrate a birthday, wedding or other event. Secondly, people also die, who simply did not choose the city they were living in, for example, in Kharkiv, Dnipro, maybe they were born there or their parents live there. Just as we did not choose our motherland. We should have respect for them.

Many female football players moved to European clubs or Turkey. Also, many legionnaires have left our clubs. Will all this affect our competitiveness in the European arena? Will this weaken the development of women’s football in Ukraine?

We should sort out all the details. I do not judge the choices of others. There are many factors here. There is a concept of panic, as they say, in war, the first person who panics is killed. If a person is very afraid, then why is this person here to spread panic? Maybe someone wants to develop further, someone is quite young and at the moment we don’t have such high conditions (to train). Regarding myself, I must have already moved a lot. At such a time, I must be at home and I want to celebrate our victory right here, when it happens and hear this news right in Ukraine…

I believe that the level will hardly drop if they continue to treat the entire training process professionally, which all coaches are doing at the moment. The level, let’s be honest, if most players go to Barcelona or other teams below the rank, it will go down. If they go to Romania or Turkey, which is now reaching a certain level, then this is not a high leap in development, except that they will not have air alarms. Most experienced players always keep fit. If they don’t have enough exercise somewhere, they can go to the gym. And young people just have to follow an example. If you change the Ukrainian team to some other that has a higher class, then yes. Not in wartime, but in peaceful life, it would be cool.

Could you tell us about your new WFC Kolos (Kovalivka). What is your training base and conditions like? How does the club participate in charity? On the club’s Instagram page, there was a post about the club’s assistance (distributing food packages) to pensioners of the Kovalivka united territorial community. At the beginning of the war, the club deployed staff to help people and helped women with children in evacuation. What are the future club’s plans in this direction?

The club interested me not just as a football club per se, there were many options. Everything is just beginning here in terms of football development. Everything is going as it should be. It does not go in the way as they say: “There was an explosion, and then it died down.” Everything goes step by step, as a real professional team should in principle because it is impossible to demand some results from the team in a year when in conscious professional football they give a minimum of three years…

On the aid side, yes, I like that the club is taking a big part in charity. There are some opportunities to support… or to volunteer. That’s cool. I don’t know about the future plans, but I know that the club will not stop in this direction.

Could you tell us about the training camp in the previous Kharkiv Vorskla team, how the local authorities of Busk town (Lviv region) helped you, the charity match in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Champions League match in Croatia (Varazhdin), where you expressed your support for Kharkiv before the game (Kharkiv, stay strong).

In principle, the preparation was good. I always liked training with Natalia Zinchenko. She prepared the team correctly because for such a period and under such conditions, the result showcased that we were as ready as possible. We did not concede a single goal, scored and qualified for the next round. In terms of support, the territorial community of Busk supported us a lot, they gave us fields. I don’t know if it was for money or for free, I don’t have this information, but I know that everything they could give us, they gave, they treated us very well, humanely. I have only positive feelings about this town.

As for friendly matches, we organised them with the help of the residents and managers who were there. Many people came to the match, they collected funds and collected a considerable amount. I saw many people throwing money, I am sure that the players took an active part in this as well. Indeed, it was somehow very homely, as if you were at home and all your friends were nearby. It was very easy to talk to them and find a common language.

How was the training camp of the Ukrainian Women’s national team in the city of Rzeszów? You visited the city of Ryashiv, where you held a meeting with our refugees.  

At that time, they did what they could do for us Ukrainians as much as possible. We had everything, of course, we didn’t have the last covering of the field, but we have what we have and this country helps us all. We must be thankful for that. They met us very warmly, they treated us well; I didn’t even hear a single bad word, so I also had only good emotions. The fans were crazy, although there weren’t many of them, they made this buzz in the stadium. No matter what the score was, their eyes were glowing and they thanked us for the game.

The meeting with the refugees gave me double emotions, positive and negative, because no matter where you meet a Ukrainian now, you are like a sister or a brother, like a person from your family, you are on the same page and immediately find a common language. But there is another side of the coin: you understand what they have lost, what they feel, because they have seen it all. And you are happy because they are all alive, you are able to communicate with them. But on the other hand, you feel some sadness because it happens precisely during such events.

How was the meeting with Roman Zozulay? (Project “Football Bayraktar“).

I personally spoke with him for a few seconds. Of course, everyone wanted to take a picture with him. He came to the training session, was quite open, a simple person. We took several photos with him. He had a little chat with our players and was also present at the game (Spain-Ukraine national teams). I had very warm feelings after his visit to us.

Are logistical issues affecting your physical form since, in times of war, it takes a long time to travel?

Perhaps I would say that it affects me if I was born in Europe, where private planes fly and not just them. For example, when I was in Turkey, we never travelled by bus, only for one away match, because it is better not to fly there by plane. There are nuances there, if closer to Syria. But even after returning from Turkey, it did not affect my comfort requirements. We Ukrainians have always travelled by bus or, if there is a better option, by train, and nothing has changed in this respect. We continue to do so.

In your opinion, will Ukraine be able to make it to EURO 2025? The head coach of the national team, Luis Cortes, noted that this is a priority. What was missing to get to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup?

I shouldn’t be the one to talk about it, I’m just a player. If you consider this question from my position, I guess, we lack more gatherings (training camps). This is systematicity, building tactics, feeling each other out and so on. Perhaps we still do not have a full understanding of Spanish football. Everyone plays in different leagues. Maybe we still lack the level. Now it is harsh, probably in our period, to put all this together.

I am not afraid to say that it is necessary to understand the Ukrainian mentality. We never had super schools from childhood, like in Barcelona, ​​for example. We are Ukrainians, this mentality is so combative and the desire to play to the last. This should be taken into account. It is impossible to change us and make us Spaniards. This should be taken into account as well. You need to get out of this situation that you have, and today, we can win only by our desire and bend our line, fight to the last. It is unlikely that we will learn to play tiki-taka in one or two years. There is always a chance and hope to get into the Euro-2025.

The Ukrainian Football Association submitted an application to UEFA to hold the European Women’s Football Championship in 2025. Ukraine submitted a joint application together with France, Switzerland and Poland. Are there any chances to hold matches of this level in our country, given that the right to host Eurovision 2023 was taken away from us?

Apparently, this is a tough question. I repeat that there is always a chance. It is necessary to understand the final scenario of everything that is happening now, of this terrible war. Of course, there is a chance. It probably depends more on those factors, how quickly we will win. I think we will win.

What is your attitude to the effectiveness of the VAR (Video assistant referee) system, (“a team of three people who work together to review certain decisions made by the main referee by watching video replays of the relevant incidents”) in the men’s championship of Ukraine and in Europe? Should it be introduced in the women’s championship as well?

Interesting question. I think that if we move forward and it exists in men’s football, then such a concept should also exist in women’s football. It would be very good, especially in final matches, cup matches, where there are controversial issues, etc. In such special matches, which decide who will be the first or the second in the championship of Ukraine, if we start from this. But it would certainly be better if the VAR system was in every match. But now they are repelled by the fact that we are currently at war in the country, so this is a question of funding and it should not be considered now. But later, I reckon, it should be.

About the status of a candidate for EU accession. How do you feel about it now and what actions in support of this took place in the team/national team?

No actions have been held yet. Everyone has their own opinion. Today, we need to be in the EU because it is difficult for the country to stand up to this evil on its own. If you think about it, everything is not so good in the EU either. On the other hand, it is very difficult to be alone with such an enemy.

You regularly cover the war in Ukraine and all other related issues. For an international audience, in your opinion, should all countries ban the entry of Russians, that is, cancel visas, as some countries have already done? 

Now Russians are fleeing to Yerevan, Istanbul, Baku, Tbilisi. After all, there are still people who think that there are “good Russians”, there are no bad people in general, but there are bad people who do not want to die for Putin’s wishes. Do you agree with this statement? Your advice to countries, in particular Georgia, that accept refugees from mobilisation.

I will say very simply, let one consider me a radical person. But if you do not be radical in such situations, then history will be cyclical. We will forget everything and everything will happen again. This has been repeated for 300 years, plus or minus, so as not to take into account all the dates.

Today, it is necessary to completely give up everything that is Russian. From acquaintances, from relatives, from everything. We can win this war if everyone starts with themselves.

We ask Europe to close the path for them, but we have not closed it for the Malorosy (meaning passive individuals, neither Ukrainian or Russian) before, sorry if I offend anyone, but we have a lot of them in the country. We are not changing, but we want Europe to change. If we are asking for all this in Europe – let’s start with us. Maybe many people will criticise me after this interview, but you have to start with yourself. Language, history etc. To close the borders, of course, but, first of all, to close the borders in your head from these Russians, in your heart and in the country, because it will happen again.

If in ten years we forget everything again and talk about “good Russians”, they will come again and ask for help to come and save them. This is not Putin, he may die tomorrow, but the people will remain stupid. I am not afraid of this word, as stupid as they are today in Russia. Therefore, it should be changed. This is a very good moment to understand everything. Everything is very simple. We have to clean the country of collaborators without any Russian, pro-Russian, oligarchs of any kind, etc. Then there will be no one to “save” in 20 or 30 or more years. Everyone will know who is who. Here it is necessary not only to blame people but also the government that was there before that.

I know who I am, although I was not born in Ukraine, god and the universe gave me such an opportunity to receive this powerful gene of the Ukrainian people. If you read our history, Ukrainians are unbreakable people. A big role was played by the fact that I studied in a purely Ukrainian school with Ukrainian concepts, with Ukrainian love and patriotism. I studied in a village school, but they gave me all this. No one obliged me but instilled everything through love. Therefore, this is an important factor. If the same style of education will be in Donetsk, Luhansk, Crimea, then we will not be divided into western and eastern Ukraine, or rather into Banderivtsi and Little Russians. We will be as a whole and there will be no one to “save”.

Your emotions and position regarding the US delay in recognising Russia as a terrorist state? Yes, there are many sanctions, but the war continues…it is a big mistake to think that the war is over or frozen.

We ask for some actions from people who are third parties. Of course, all this is interconnected. I don’t really realise what anyone’s game could possibly be. We do not understand, we are ordinary people, we are only fighting for our lives, for our existence. It is very strange that in the 21st century, by the way, we are doing this, but I understand one thing: we should have become such a strong country during these 30 years, but we did not. Thus, the war caught us by surprise, if you understand it that way. But for all these years we have given them the weapons with which they are now shooting at us. But we ask the US to recognise it as a terrorist state. This is very strange for me because everyone has to start with themselves. Of course, the world must understand because today it is us and tomorrow it is them. There are no laws for this evil.

There is no point in negotiating with Russia. What is on paper means nothing. These are people who do not have any values, especially moral ones. I don’t know what we can talk about with Russia, but we have the right to blame or put pressure on the US, but we should be angry with ourselves first of all.

Regarding a possible nuclear disaster against the background of a successful counteroffensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, will Russia use this last weapon against the Ukrainians, for example by blowing up the Zaporizhzhya NPP or striking the Carpathians? There are many scenarios. What is your opinion about fake referenda that are held under Russian guns?

I will start with referenda. I’m not surprised because everything happened like that before. Everything happens like this in their country, they do not have the right to vote. It’s not surprising, it’s their lifestyle, their country.

Regarding the nuclear war, I will say frankly: I am not a panicky person. There is no need to sow panic, but you need to have information. We must hope for the best and be ready for anything. We know who we are at war with. There is nothing sacred to these people. They kill children and for them, it does not matter how. They rape, kill, shoot a bullet in the head or push a nuclear button, I think it makes no difference to them. Moreover, the probability of a nuclear attack is high because they are losing this war and many countries of the world recognise this. And Putin himself understands this too. To take such a desperate step, whether he will take it or not, let’s draw conclusions from the actions he has already taken. This nuclear scenario could happen and we should be prepared, read what we should do in such cases, and have this knowledge in our heads to survive.

Your attitude to the World Cup in Qatar? There is a big problem with the rights of women, migrants, LGBT people, they even banned the sale of beer in stadiums, but lifted it under the pressure. Human rights defenders and activists around the world are once again calling for a boycott of the championship, highlighting the country’s human rights and environmental problems, but the World Cup will still be held there.

And the 2030 World Cup can generally be held in Saudi Arabia, Greece and Egypt. Your position on this?

First, the World Cup is the development of football, its popularisation, etc. It should take place where every person who has the desire can come and watch the match without any obstacles. Therefore, if there are any obstacles, then I think the venue should be changed. We now live in such a period, as if every word is important and you have to express your opinion, you have to be what you want in this life. If there are some rules that prevent it, then why are we talking about it? Regarding beer… beer and football go together. In Germany, FC Bayern even does photo sessions with a glass of beer.

Your position on a possible friendly match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Russia. Although today there is not even a question of removing the disqualification from Russian teams in international tournaments, from which they were suspended after the invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine. At the same time, the European Football Union (UEFA) hopes for a quick end to the war in our country. Your comments on this.

No, no and again no. All aware citizens of different countries of the world understand what is happening. Therefore, of course not. Short and clear. Period.

In the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, Turkish “Fenerbahce” lost to “Dynamo” Kyiv with a score of 1:2.

During the match in Istanbul, the audience heard Putin’s name chanted by some Turkish fans. Fenerbahce president Ali Koc said that the Istanbul club will not apologise for the club’s fans chanting “Volodymyr Putin” during the match against Dynamo Kyiv. It was previously reported that UAF officially appealed to UEFA regarding unacceptable chanting by Turkish fans at the match of the second round of Champions League qualification between Fenerbahce and Dynamo. The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Ukraine to Turkey, Vasyl Bodnar, said that we will never understand the words of support for the Russian murderer and aggressor, who deliberately kills Ukrainians and destroys our country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised Turkish fans not to root for Putin, who is losing everywhere. Your opinion on this.

I know about this situation. These are people who do not fully understand what is happening. We also have this in our country. If there is such a thing in Ukraine, then how can it not happen in Turkey? They have a one-track mind and do not have the full understanding of what is happening.

But let’s be honest, many people don’t understand because it doesn’t concern them. Many sympathise with us but do not fully understand the tragedy of the situation. And they also need to be understood. We did not dive into all wars in the same way, because they did not affect us, but bypassed us. …The fact that the president of the Turkish club behaved like that is wrong. He is a public person, he understands or should understand what is happening and which side he takes. When we win this war, it will not be forgotten and relations will be different. At the moment, Ukrainians do not want to be very kind but want to be fair. And justice sometimes does not always imply good deeds.

Now, football life continues. Do you think that in such a challenging time, football is an important tool that unites Ukrainians and helps boost the fighting spirit against the enemy? And is it appropriate at all? As Artem Frankov says: “Football is such a wonderful thing that you can make fun of as much as you want, but it will still not disappear. The passion of a person for playing with the ball is so strong that football will live on in any case.” Do you agree with this statement?

I completely agree with this, because with respect to all sports, in any form, football is always played. That is, there are some training sessions of a game or relaxation nature, track and field athletes, judoists, many people play football. That said, it really is a game of millions. Football is a bit of a distraction. Not only football, there is a lot going on, as it used to happen with change. But it should be, people should not live in depression, but should live in understanding. Therefore, football is appropriate now.

At the world economic forum in Davos, there was a discussion called Sport as a unifying force, in which the coach of the US team, Jill Ellis, who won the World Cup twice and is the most successful coach in America and the world, took part. Jill noted that “an investment in women’s football is an investment in women”. Do you support this statement?

It seems so. If we’re talking about investing in women in terms of jobs and so on, isn’t that a bad thing? Investing in men’s football is one thing, they get jobs and development in their spheres. And investments in women’s football as in women in general, yes. Most of the coaches are men, the employees of the coaching staff are also to this day.

In your opinion, is women’s football gaining popularity in these war times? Do you believe that there will be a Marshall Plan  investment just for it?

What will happen next, when we win the war, what exactly do you need to invest money in first. It’s unlikely to be football, because that’s secondary. To invest in development – yes. Not in the first place, but over time, of course. It is necessary to be open and say what we have. First, the country must be rebuilt. But if there is an opportunity to simultaneously restore sports and not only football, but also other activities, then all this will happen.

What is your position on Olena Zelenska’s cultural diplomacy? Would you like Ukrainian women’s football to become one of the areas of her work, in particular of the Olena Zelenska Foundation?

I will say frankly, I don’t really follow her activities. I watch others. You have to watch how they do it. For 30 years, we did not watch how it happened and all this led to what we have now. It is necessary to filter all this. You need to fully control all areas, and understand whom and what you support.

Do you see yourself as a coach in Ukraine, as you received a coaching license of category C? Maybe there is a desire to play abroad and train a team there or open your own training school in Ukraine?

This is a very small step of course. Everything should be done step by step, as one says. This is probably my second dream after the victory over Russia. As there will be an opportunity. I had the opportunity to play abroad, but my choice is to stay in Ukraine. If we win in the near future, it is not yet clear how quickly it will be, but if I didn’t go there during the war, I probably won’t go after it because I want to take part in restoring my country. I would like to become a coach in the future because I communicate with many people who are already coaches and I have something to compare with.

I will reveal a little secret: I make such small notes to myself, what I encounter because I have worked with many coaches. I understand –  I will not do exactly – but what I would leave and do what I saw during the cooperation with a different number of coaches.

What is the victory for Ukrainians and our allies like? Do you believe in a liberal Russia and the possibility of returning to the negotiating table? Will we be able to return all territories, including Crimea?

Ukraine will return all territories, including Crimea. Ukraine will still return other territories because the map was a little different before. And Ukraine can return everything, the map that was there much earlier.

You can forget about the word Russia and everything related to it. This country should be isolated. No agreements, not even on paper or on the Bible, no matter where they say so. They have no influence and no control. Russia and everything related to it should be blocked, especially for Ukrainians. Victory for us is the absence of Russia on the world map at all because if we win and forget, everything will happen again. Depends on how quickly they find the resources for it.

Your wishes to Ukrainians and allies of Ukraine in the war against the aggressor-terrorist?

I wish Ukraine patience and much, much strength, self-belief and more. Allies must understand, and many have already understood, with whom we are at war and how much we protect the rest of the countries.

We are the shield for them, so I wish them to continue to help us and find resources for us. We will continue to defend ourselves and most countries of the world. And for our military, I will probably just wish for victory, and everything will be included in that.

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Published as part of our own Future of Ukraine Fellowship. Read more about the project here and consider contributing here.

Cover Photo: Personal archive of Natiia Pantsulaia

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• Russian War
• Ukraine