Russia wants to turn us into helpless and hopeless people, so we have no choice but to fight.

Stand with us, stand with the people of Ukraine. Kidnapped children, widowed mothers, and isolated parents—no place in Ukraine is safe today. Russia wants to enslave or destroy us. The world’s responsibility to us cannot be limited to words of sorrow. Be with us like one of us. The truth is on our side, and we will resist the aggressor until we prevail. Global peace can only be secured through Ukraine’s victory.

Ukrainian poet Yuliya Musakovska, who has transformed her writing into a weapon in Ukraine’s fight for freedom, speaks with Mathrubhumi during the Aksharotsavam at Kanakakunnu about literature, war, and resilience.

1. As a young writer from Ukraine, how do you see the impact of the war on every Ukrainian’s life since 2014?

The war in Ukraine is not just an attempt to capture the country; it is an attempt to erase our national identity, culture, and freedom. Russia has taken away our normal lives, disregarding our humanity. They have kidnapped, injured, and killed our children, leaving mothers widowed and parents alone. Nowhere in Ukraine is safe. We did not provoke this war—we chose our own path, just like any independent nation. The world’s responsibility to us cannot be limited to words of sorrow.

As a poet, I have been writing about the war since 2014, and today, I am living proof that Ukrainian culture persists in our war-torn country. Many of my friends and colleagues—writers, artists—have fallen victim to this war. My poetry often speaks of them and for them.

2. As a writer, what kind of challenges are you facing in Ukraine today?

It is not just about me; it is about every human being in Ukraine. Power outages and air raid alerts have become part of our daily lives. The threat of missile or drone attacks looms constantly. Every day, we hear of more deaths and injuries. At any moment, one could be killed or severely wounded. How can anyone sleep peacefully? Every household bears the wounds of war—some have lost loved ones, others have been displaced or lost their homes. No one escapes war’s brutal reality.

Innocent people’s homes are bombed, and these are not accidents. The aggressor aims to terrorise us, to instill fear and despair. This is Russia’s strategy—to make us feel hopeless, lifeless. But they will not succeed. Ukrainians value their freedom above all else.

3. The war that started in 2014 continues to this day. Did those who thought they could win quickly get it wrong?

Absolutely. We will protect our identity, our language, and our culture. We are fighting in every way possible. Meanwhile, Russia continues committing countless crimes—it has abducted over 20,000 Ukrainian children from occupied territories, forcing them into adoption by Russian families, indoctrinating them with hatred against Ukraine. Yet, Ukraine no longer dominates international headlines, while Russia’s brutal war rages on. Writing is my form of resistance.

After the full-scale war began, I wrote my first poem, Safe Place, in English. I could not find the words to express my feelings in Ukrainian. After February 2022, I frequently used English, as many friends and colleagues from around the world asked if I was safe. That is how Safe Place was born. Later, I continued writing in Ukrainian.

What is happening in Ukraine today can happen anywhere in the future. Russia is violating international law, committing war crimes. If this is tolerated, it will encourage further aggression worldwide. Those who passively watch today might experience it tomorrow.

4. Can your poems be a balm for those suffering from the horrors of war?

As a writer, I do not only express my own experiences, but also the pain and sorrow of others. I convey the grief of those who have lost children, parents, siblings, loved ones. Perhaps my poems help my people process their emotions, knowing their pain is shared. But my work also speaks of our strength and resilience, as individuals and as a nation. We will not be afraid. We are determined to prevail because the truth is on our side.

I hope my words inspire others worldwide to protect their identity, culture, and freedom. I hope we can resist injustices together. I have been writing since I was six, and now I am 43. After Russia’s war against Ukraine began, I started writing on behalf of my people who suffer daily.

5. What personal losses have you experienced since the war began?

I have lost many close friends. I stood at their funerals, watching these young, brilliant people laid to rest. My best friend’s husband, Oleksandr Osadko, served in the Ukrainian army and was killed in battle in the summer of 2022. His death shattered my friend and her children’s lives. My dear colleague of many years, Victoria Amelina, a brilliant writer turned war crimes researcher, was killed by a Russian missile at a pizzeria. Another colleague and friend, Maksym Kryvtsov, an extraordinary poet, was also killed while fighting. He had just published his first book. They must not be forgotten, and as colleagues, we will preserve their legacy.

6. War is unpredictable, and no one knows what tomorrow will bring. What do Ukrainians hope for today?

We will fight for our freedom, our culture, and our identity—no matter the cost. We hope the world will support us in our struggle. We dream of reclaiming our lives, our joy, our homeland. The aggressor must be held accountable. Only then can lasting global peace be achieved.