Revisiting Conversations With Shaken Ukrainian Diaspora in SF

Three years into war, reactions remain as powerful and urgent as ever.

Two young women facing forward wear bright colored headdresses of artificial flowers and white blouses with red and burgundy embroidery. They are standing in a park and one carries a yellow and bright blue flag.

Sylvie Sturm/San Francisco Public Press

Ukrainians Diana Osolenko and her friend Dasha, who is holding a flag, attend a concert in Golden Gate Park on March 12, 2022, benefiting the World Central Kitchen, which is helping to feed Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s attack. They filmed themselves speaking to members of the audience about Russia’s attack on Ukraine for a podcast.

This week marks three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the conflict shows no signs of ending. On the eve of this grim anniversary, Russia launched its largest drone attack yet, causing widespread destruction and civilian casualties. Days later, the U.S. voted against a U.N. resolution calling for Russia’s withdrawal.

In this episode of “Civic,” we revisit conversations first aired on April 7, 2022 — just six weeks after the invasion began — as San Francisco residents with deep ties to Ukraine were fearing for loved ones and desperately trying to help by sending vital medical supplies and welcoming refugees into the Bay Area.

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