I (24F) am from a small town in Ukraine. I want to let you know how a Russian invasion will affect the people living here. (Have a good weekends)

I am from Kherson. It is a city with a population of around 280,000 people. Ukraine is not the kind of place most people here imagine it to be. <br><br>There is a tremendous amount of disinformation about my country that I have seen spread by both sides. I would like to bring some sense of reality this weekend while the rest of the world is sleeping.<br><br>Russia has been trying to destroy Ukraine for 9 years, so I am not worried about a full-scale war because it is happening now. Some people in Ukraine would like to live with Russia, but we are a democracy. Russia is not.<br><br>We are not "brotherly nations" as everyone says. We are two independent countries and Russia is our enemy that is occupying our land.<br><br>Many of the people here speak Russian, but we all speak Ukrainian at home. This is not the same country as Russia, but Russian propaganda has a tendency to twist the truth.<br><br>Ukraine has been independent since 1991 (as long as Russia itself) but Ukraine has been independent for much longer than that in history. Even when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union we were a separate country. They occupied our land for 70 years but we have always remained a separate people.<br><br>I hope you will continue reading. If you have already stopped reading because I am Ukrainian then that is okay. I would just like to bring you into my life.<br><br>Kherson is a very ordinary town. Many people are poor and there are not enough good paying jobs here. But the people are very kind and there's a lot of pretty nature nearby.<br><br>If Russia wins the war, we will lose our freedom. Russia has a very hard time accepting independent nations. Russia has already started a war in a neighboring country, Georgia. Russia has also already annexed parts of Ukraine and Moldova.<br><br>Many people in Ukraine want to join the EU and NATO. Even though Russia is the aggressor, it is not welcome in the EU or NATO. Russia is the one who is attacking Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. Why should we be punished for this?<br><br>I am not worried about a Russian victory. I trust in my country. I am afraid of what Russia will do to us before they lose. Russia has been bombing civilian targets in Ukraine for 9 years, including schools, hospitals, houses, and shopping centers.<br><br>The US has declared Ukraine a "developing country" because of the economic crisis and the war. But Ukraine is a developed country. We have good roads, reliable electricity, and access to good food. But we have been in a depression for eight years. Russia started the war against us in 2014.<br><br>I am not worried about a Russian invasion because the war is already happening. I am afraid of the bombing. I am afraid of starving.<br><br>I just want to live in peace. I want my family and neighbors to be safe. But I am afraid that Russia will cut off our access to food.<br><br>Many people in Ukraine are afraid of running out of food. We can't stockpile food because it will spoil after a few months. Many people here are worried that Russia will close our ports and try to starve us out.<br><br>I am also afraid of bombing. Russia has already bombed many schools, hospitals, houses, and shopping malls in Ukraine. Russia has a history of intentionally bombing civilians to try and break their will.<br><br>I am also afraid of a nuclear war. Russia has already threatened to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine and other countries. Russian politicians have said that any conflict with Ukraine would be a "nuclear conflict".<br><br>I am not afraid of a Russian victory because I trust my country. Ukraine will stop Russia from winning. But I am afraid of what will happen to us along the way.<br><br>We are functionally a Western country. Russia is the one who is attacking us. But people all over the world have been calling for Ukraine to give Russia what it wants. This is very hard for us. Russia has occupied our land for 8 years but the world has not placed any sanctions on Russia.<br><br>Many people here are confused and hurt at why other countries are not supporting us. We are a democracy. We have a right to defend ourselves. If Ukraine loses than Russian propaganda will spread all over Eastern Europe. Russian propaganda is very convincing.<br><br>We are not Nazis as Russian propaganda claims. Ukraine's president is Jewish. We have no problems with immigrants from India or Africa. <br><br>If Russia wins then Russian propaganda will spread all over Eastern Europe. Ukraine is a democracy. Ukraine will not surrender to Russia.<br><br>We will not surrender. We will fight until the end. But I am afraid of the bombing and starvation that we will face.<br><br>I am not calling for any actions. I just want to show you how a Russian invasion of Ukraine will affect ordinary people. The Russian army is very brutal and will commit many atrocities.<br><br>My family and friends are already preparing for war. I don't know how long this post will stay up but the war against Ukraine is already happening. <br><br>So what will happen to Ukraine in general? Ukraine will fight back, most likely win (though with huge casualties), and not give in. Ukraine is functionally a Western democracy. We have a right to defend ourselves. But the cost of this war will be very high.<br><br>Ukraine has been preparing for this war for 8 years. The Russian army is very well armed but Ukraine is well defended and will not lose.<br><br>Russia will lose this war but at great cost to Ukraine. There will be massive destruction of cities, widespread civilian casualties, and potentially even starvation. Russia has a history of intentionally bombing areas where civilians live and work.<br><br>If Russia closes our ports in Odessa we will run out of food. But we will not surrender to Russia. We will fight for our freedom.<br><br>Many people here are stockpiling food but it will eventually run out. We will fight to the end. We have nowhere to run.<br><br>So what will happen to Ukraine in general? Ukraine will fight back, most likely win (though with huge casualties), and not give in. Ukraine is functionally a Western democracy. We have a right to defend ourselves. But the cost of this war will be very high.<br><br>Ukraine has been preparing for this war for 8 years. The Russian army is very well armed but Ukraine is well defended and will not lose.<br><br>Russia will lose this war but at great cost to Ukraine. There will be massive destruction of cities, widespread civilian casualties, and potentially even starvation. Russia has a history of intentionally bombing areas where civilians live and work.<br><br>If Russia closes our ports in Odessa we will run out of food. But we will not surrender to Russia. We will fight for our freedom.<br><br>Many people here are stockpiling food but it will eventually run out. We will fight to the end. We have nowhere to run.<br><br>That's all. Thank you for reading this.<br><br>&#x200B;