Ukrainians in Turkey speak out: 'We are with our families in heart'

Ukrainian civilians arriving in Romania's Siret town, Vita Myjhayliva (below) and Iryna Demiroğlu. (Photo: Alex Nicodim-AA)

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Russia's invasion of Ukraine is protested in front of embassies across the world. Ukrainian associations in Turkey are leading the protests in the country.

According to 2019 figures, 35,000 citizens of Ukraine live in Turkey. They have 16 associations in the country in the provinces of Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Bodrum, Bursa, İzmir, Konya, Kuşadası, Marmaris, Samsun, and İstanbul.

CLICK - Invasion of Ukraine protested across Turkey

"Ukraine is left alone"

Vita Myjhayliva, the chair of the Ukraine Families Association in Antalya, southern Turkey, said "Ukraine is left alone."

"The Russian army has entered everywhere. They are bombing Kyiv now. We have many relatives in Kyiv and many other regions in Ukraine. According to the news we have received, everybody is in a very bad situation, they are worried. Bombs are exploding in every region. Russian tanks are crushing cars in Kyiv.

"We want to live in our own land. We did not enter another country. This is why we are calling out to Turkey and other countries: Please help us. Ukraine is left alone; nobody is helping.

"We went to the Russian Consulate yesterday (February 24) to protest. We went today, too. We'll go on Sunday as well. We are far away but we are there, together with our friends, families and soldiers in heart.

"It is said that 153 people have died. We don't know how many more will die. We don't want war, we are not waging a war. We just want to live in our country in a good and free way.

"Unfortunately, the Russians don't understand us. They don't understand at all. They say, 'We want war.' But whose soldiers are in our land now? Who are the children there? Who is fighting there right now? They say, 'You are brothers and sisters'. Where is the fraternity? Yesterday, a Russian woman came to the protest. Sad and weeping, she said, 'This is not what we are. Please! This is not what I am."

Letter to Erdoğan

Myjhayliva said they had sent a letter to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, calling on him to support Ukraine.

The letter briefly says, "We are calling on you to support Ukraine. Ukraine, like Turkey, relies on democratic principles and values. Ukraine is a peaceful country like Turkey; it has never transgressed into another country. But it aims to defend its land and state bravely.

"For the first time since World War II, a sovereign and peaceful European state is subject to a full-scale war in its own land by the Russian Federation. In the name of the Ukrainians in Turkey, we demand you sincerely support Ukraine in its struggle to protect its civilian population, sovereignty and land."

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"This is not just our war"

Iryna Demiroğlu, the head of the Bodrum Ukrainians Association, said, "This is not only our war; it is a war against the whole world, against peace."

Having lived in Turkey for 13 years, she said, "This is my home, my second homeland."

Citing the information she has received from her relatives in Ukraine, Demiroğlu said, "Daily life is not what it used to be anywhere. The Russiand are trying to enter from everywhere; they are attempting to attack every big city. But we have no fear; we have hatred. We are right. We are ready as well.

"We knew this would happen. Maybe we weren't expecting such a big, evil and violent attack, but we knew Putin would not stop. There was going to be an attack, we were ready. The motivation of our soldiers is high. Let them come. There is no fear at all. The Russians should fear."

About 300 Ukrainians live in the Bodrum district of Turkey's southwestern province of Muğla and the number is increasing, said Demiroğlu, adding that they were shocked when they learned of the invasion.

"Of course, we were shocked at first. We woke up to a new world. When these events are over, nothing will be the same. But we have no fear. We know we are right. This is a relieving feeling. The Russians fear more. They are also aware that something is wrong. There is a lie.

"In Bodrum, we share the news with each other every day. Footage is coming all the time, like smoke coming out of a window or a plane flying.

"There are also many Russians here. In fact, this situation is not new. It didn't start two days ago. It started eight years ago. At that time, there were differences of opinion between Russians and Ukrainians.

"Right now, the attack is fresh. Everyone is shocked. Russians here also can't believe that. They have nothing to say. Maybe there are those who support this war among them, but they don't talk."

Demiroğlu thanked Turkey for its support.

"Our loved ones are worried"

Yevheniia İnan, the head of the Ukraine Alanya Solidarity Association, said they could talk to their families in Ukraine but there were sometimes problems with the internet.  The people are worried in Ukraine, she said.

They had difficulties getting permission to stage a protest in Alanya, Antalya, to the high number of Russians in the district, she added. (AÖ/VK)