Chicago’s Ukrainian Community- and what’s going on overseas (wedding, living in)

[personone]

In Chicago, we have one of the largest Ukrainian communities in the country, so we are more likely to know Ukrainian Americans. Just curious how many of you have Ukrainian American friends and colleagues, and how they are dealing with what is going on with the imminent invasion?

I have a close colleague who is Ukrainian American, who still has a lot of family in Ukraine. She and her family are definitely in my thoughts and prayers.

[Koji7]

This a great topic glad you have put this up. I don’t live in Illinois but I look here for local happenings and news as I did reside in the state once and enjoyed my time there.

[Vlajos]

I know a few Ukrainians and they are obviously upset and concerned with th Russian aggression.

[ChiGuy2.5]

I read up on the attack this morning.

One thing that stuck out to me is that Putin claims there are a lot of Ukrainian citizens who still identify as and align with Russian cultures and ideals. Is that true? I get that Ukraine was created after the fall of the USSR so it makes sense that someone could feel more Russian than Ukrainian but I'd love to hear from some native Ukrainians of how common this is and if you feel the invasion is actually "somewhat" justified? Like will there be Russian loyalists fighting within the borders of Ukrainian cities because they were isolated after the fall of the USSR?

[personone]

Originally Posted by ChiGuy2.5

I read up on the attack this morning.

One thing that stuck out to me is that Putin claims there are a lot of Ukrainian citizens who still identify as and align with Russian cultures and ideals. Is that true? I get that Ukraine was created after the fall of the USSR so it makes sense that someone could feel more Russian than Ukrainian but I'd love to hear from some native Ukrainians of how common this is and if you feel the invasion is actually "somewhat" justified? Like will there be Russian loyalists fighting within the borders of Ukrainian cities because they were isolated after the fall of the USSR?

Good question. Ukraine is very big, so there may be some border regions where they do keep some Russian identity. But all of the Ukrainians I know and have met here in the Chicagoland region, all very much identify as purely Ukrainian.

It would be nice to hear from any Ukrainians on this board. But in my experience, Ukranians hold on to their independent culture and beliefs, and I get a sense that even before this, there have been a lot of tensions with Russia, particularly under Putin's leadership.

Kind of similar to the relationship between Taiwan and China, in a sense.

[ChiGuy2.5]

Originally Posted by personone

Good question. Ukraine is very big, so there may be some border regions where they do keep some Russian identity. But all of the Ukrainians I know and have met here in the Chicagoland region, all very much identify as purely Ukrainian.

It would be nice to hear from any Ukrainians on this board. But in my experience, Ukranians hold on to their independent culture and beliefs, and I get a sense that even before this, there have been a lot of tensions with Russia, particularly under Putin's leadership.

Kind of similar to the relationship between Taiwan and China, in a sense.

I asked this question and sure enough last night I heard a Ukrainian on WBEZ. She said she had Russian friends in Ukraine who were embarrassed and very upset about the invasion. They were very apologetic and sorry for what Putin is doing.

[rrah]

Originally Posted by ChiGuy2.5

I read up on the attack this morning.

One thing that stuck out to me is that Putin claims there are a lot of Ukrainian citizens who still identify as and align with Russian cultures and ideals. Is that true? I get that Ukraine was created after the fall of the USSR so it makes sense that someone could feel more Russian than Ukrainian but I'd love to hear from some native Ukrainians of how common this is and if you feel the invasion is actually "somewhat" justified? Like will there be Russian loyalists fighting within the borders of Ukrainian cities because they were isolated after the fall of the USSR?

I popped into the Chicago forum as I was thinking about the Ukrainian population in Chicago.

One of the major news networks, maybe ABC, did a short piece of Ukrainian citizens that are ethnically Russian. It's about 17% of the population. My take away was that many identify as Ukrainians, even to the extent of learning the language, etc. They have little desire to be part of Russia. Ukraine is free.

There are, of course, the separatists in a few regions. There are lots of articles about these groups available right now. Google "Donbas" and Ukraine separatists. They appear to be influenced and supported by Russia.

[Don Cuccino]

Originally Posted by ChiGuy2.5

I asked this question and sure enough last night I heard a Ukrainian on WBEZ. She said she had Russian friends in Ukraine who were embarrassed and very upset about the invasion. They were very apologetic and sorry for what Putin is doing.

I heard the story on WBEZ also. They were also talking about Russians living in the USA and said the older Russians tend to be pro Putin whereas the younger ones are not.

[personone]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/chicago...chicago/%3Famp

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbc...2770421/%3famp

[raleightransplant]

It's utterly heartbreaking what is going on there, and I have thought quite a bit about the sizeable Ukrainian population in the area. People we know with connections are obviously devastated. Our wedding photographer has family there, and has lost communication with them. They are likely headed to the west to escape.

Here are two videos I found helpful in understanding context and all that's happening on the ground in Ukraine right now


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK-yJD_fAtk


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARXdHB4ZprM