Anna and Eva Ovcharenko
Ukraine, Dnipro
Israel, Bat Yam
“For me, the war began not on February 24, but the day before, when my friend informed me that over 50 tanks were stationed at the border with Russia. It really made me panic, and I began to consider whether I should abandon everything and escape.
On the morning of the Russian invasion, I could hardly believe that Russia had actually launched a full-scale war against Ukraine. Our closest neighbors? Why? I hoped it was all just a bad dream and that I would wake up to find it wasn’t real. Unfortunately, this nightmare has been going on for more than 2.5 years.
When our President addressed the nation, saying, ‘We are introducing martial law throughout our country,’ I couldn’t breathe. Then I saw a message from my best friend: ‘Anya, it’s all started, take Eva and leave.” At that moment, I felt overwhelmed with fear and helplessness. I started running around the house, packing my things. Neither my mother nor my brother could calm me down. Only Eva, my daughter, could: ‘Mom, sit down, calm down, I’m here!’ which helped me to finally calm down. I am so proud of her. She is very smart and I learn so much from her.
A week after the invasion, we realized that for our safety, it would be better if we left Ukraine. I was very worried about leaving. I didn’t know where to go? How to get there? Or what the future would hold.
Eva and I were fortunate to catch a train heading to Lviv. We traveled in complete darkness, and upon arriving, I had to decide on our next destination. Many of my friends had chosen to go to Germany, so I initially considered that option. However, a friend in Lviv suggested, ‘Why not Israel?’
Without waiting for my response, he added, ‘I will help you! But it will take some time to make all the necessary arrangements.’ So, we traveled from Lviv to to Kraków, Poland, and from there, we were able to make our way to Israel.
In Israel, at first, it was very difficult. Airplanes and helicopters frightened me. I missed my homeland and my family, but over time, we settled in Israel. We built our own circle, which later on grew into a strong community.
October 7th was like a nightmare. We seriously thought about leaving, but it was very difficult to do so because we had found a second home here. Again, I found myself facing a difficult choice. How? Where? What’s next? The fear was overwhelming.
I covered the windows with blankets, worried that terrorists might break into our house at any moment Thankfully, our friends rallied around us, offered support and helped us stay calm and not get panic.
Later, we learned that our friends Shurik (Alexander Samoilov) and Vikusya (Victoria Gorlov) were at the NOVA festival, working as security guards. We prayed for a long time that they would be found alive, but to our deep sorrow, we were informed that they had been murdered by terrorists. They were a wonderful couple, and it breaks my heart that they were taken from us. It is impossible to accept; the pain does not subside. My good friend Eli Stivi’s son, Idan, is still a hostage. We all pray for his swift and safe return. As time goes on, I want to find joy in life, but I always feel as if I’m in a limbo. Planning for the future feels impossible because I don’t know what lies ahead for us.
I deeply hope that the wars in Ukraine and in Israel would come to an end and we could all live peacefully.”