Ukraine invasion hits home

SANDUSKY — For Dr. Nataliya Bumagina, the invasion of Ukraine is unbearable. Bumagina, a pediatrician with Firelands, was born in Vinnica, in central Ukraine, and lived there until immigrating to the U.S. in 1998. Bumagina said while she doesn't have much insight into the current situation, it's been difficult to see. "Why Ukraine? I'm seeking the same explanation, just watching the news. It's horrible. I cannot believe it. I cannot believe that people cannot sit down and negotiate," she said. "It's like a fight in the family, it's gotten worse and the family falls apart. They need to sit down and think about people." Living in Ukraine Ukraine was a part of the Soviet Union since its inception and gained independence during its collapse in 1991. "I lived and grew up in USSR. All former republics were friends, including Russia and Ukraine," Bumagina said. "Our grandparents fought together during World War 2. We spoke, including me, both languages Russian and Ukrainian. We traveled without borders." Bumagina said everyone was united after the war, a feeling that stayed with her generation. She said no one wanted to see more death. During this time, many Russians moved to Ukraine and Ukrainians moved to Russia. "Vinnica is an average-sized city. I went to school there, we have 10 years of school, instead of 12. I joined the medical university there at 16," Bumagina said. "I met my husband and got married, I had my son born in Ukraine." After the collapse of the USSR, Bumagina said the country struggled economically. "The 90s was a rough time, economically. There were no jobs in the whole country in the 90s," Bumagina said. "My husband was a plant manager there and he didn't receive his salary for about one and a half years. The salary was given by bags of sugar or bags of potatoes." As a young physician in Ukraine, she said she would see patients at their homes. Bumagina said her salary at the time was about $30 a month. Bumagina, her husband and son lived with her mother and step-father in a two-bedroom apartment. She said hot water was a problem, needing to heat bath water on the stove. "People were going into Russia, Czechoslovakia and Poland to buy goods and then resell them. They were reselling projects like the whole country was a market," Bumagina said. "In the 90s it was a lot of economical crisis, but never into war. People were poor, they would have to go to other countries to earn money." Due to the economy, Bumagina and her family decided to immigrate to the U.S. in 1998. "We chose to immigrate as a family and it was the best decision ever. We are very proud to be U.S. citizens," she said. "My son was seven at the time and he started first grade at Mayfield Elementary. My family is still in Cleveland now." Still, coming to the states was not easy. Many of the family's belongings they had sent from Ukraine were on a ship that sank. The family didn't have much money when they immigrated and had to buy a vehicle after arriving. "Me and my husband would go to English classes in Cleveland after work. My husband started work as an assembler a few months after our arrival, without knowing much English," Bumagina said. "I was preparing for my exams to work as a physician in the U.S., so I wasn't working. We lived on eight dollars an hour for a long time. I know what it's like not to have food on the table." One of the biggest shocks for Bumagina was going to a supermarket for the first time. "The first trip to the supermarket was quite a shock, seeing carts full of food," she said. "In the 90s in Ukraine, you would go to the store and see empty shelves. We had no cars, so we used public transportation. We didn't know what a computer was." Today's conflict Since immigrating in 1998, Bumagina hasn't returned to Ukraine. She said she has no family or friends in the country now. "There have always been two sides of Ukraine, eastern and western, there have always been differences in languages but it's never been to a point of aggression or escalation," Bumagina said. "Russia and Ukraine have always been like sisters, they're very similar in culture. Many people from Ukraine now live in Russia and vice versa. It's never been different nationalities, it's just been like one big family." While it's hard to process, Bumagina said she hopes a resolution will happen any day. "It just makes me sad and mad that people are dying in the 21st century for no reason. Especially seeing kids being wounded and killed," Bumagina said. "People are having to hide underground from bombs. It doesn't matter who is dying, Russian people or Ukrainian people, it's just a matter of peace everywhere." Bumagina said Ukraine being invaded by Russia is heavy on everyone's hearts. "It was poor when I was there, but at least we didn't have these issues of war. I hope politicians start to think about people and children and find a solution," she said. "War in the 21st century, who could believe that? I turn on the news every day hoping that it's over." Bumagina said she thinks the invasion likely came because Russia assumed that it will be a risk if Ukraine joined NATO. "It's more about political and security conflicts. We just need to pray and hope that world countries will find the way to resolve the conflict in a peaceful matter," Bumagina said. "The quicker the better because when the war escalates, when it takes a long time, it's hard to negotiate. I hope it's going to be a quick resolution." Bumagina said like any other country, Ukraine's culture is unique. The county has a history of abundant soil, a great land for growing crops, with famous cooking and world-known poets and musicians. She said Ukrainian folk songs have some of the most beautiful melodies. "If Ukraine can be independent and not be influenced by anybody, that would be great," Bumagina said. "What's happening now is a big tragedy for every human being. As a physician and mom, it's unbearable to see people and children dying."