Local Ukrainians share thoughts on recent war developments

NORTH PORT — The ongoing war that began with the Russian invasion of Ukraine has raged on for more than two years.

In August, Ukrainian forces crossed the border and infiltrated Russian territory. It was reported the incursion forced the evacuation of 120,000 people.Ukrainian troops are now said to be in control of about 1,000 square miles in Russia. There are an estimated 12,000 to 14,000 Ukrainians, Ukrainian-Americans and war refugees living in Charlotte and Sarasota counties, many of them in North Port.Some recently spoke with The Daily Sun. INIA TUNSTALLInia Tunstall is the president of Ukrainian National Women's League of America Branch 56. She spent 19 years in the United States military. The Ukrainian-American praised Ukraine for its efforts. She does not have combat experience but keeps up with the news and thinks the positive news for Ukraine was much-needed. “They did a terrific job,” she said.The Ukrainians have been “asking and asking” the entire free world for help. But they have also been wanting see more aggressive tactics, getting on the front foot, she said. Such positivity can help boost morale of Ukrainian troops, Tunstall believes. The general public is getting “bored” of the war, for lack of a better word, she said.“If you look at the Ukraine military, they seem so much more motivated," Tunstall said. “Their main thrust is to keep fighting. I can’t come close to telling you what their plans are, but they’re not giving up.”Many of the fighters are students or women, according to Tunstall. She said Ukraine's struggle with Russia is a David-versus-Goliath tale. THE REV. OLEH SACIUKThe Rev. Oleh Saciuk does not entirely agree with the David-vs-Goliath idea.He thinks President Vladimir Putin power is merely a facade, and Russia is not actually a "superpower."Saciuk, now a local pastor, does have experience in combat. Although he is a pastor these days, in his younger years, he fought in the Vietnam War in the U.S. Navy. He spent time on destroyers and also helped with search-and-rescue missions. He said Ukraine's toughness is necessary — without it there could be no more Ukraine. Putin is trying to make the nation a memory, Saciuk said.“If they give up any territory, it will just be a temporary stop to the war. If Ukraine falls, the Polish knows that Poland is next," he said. “If the Russians are allowed to take Ukraine, then what’s to stop them from doing anything else they want to do?”He said that is why surrounding nations are providing help, to avoid that coming to pass.Russia is an evil empire, he said, that like all others, will fall apart one day. Even so, much of their strength perceived by the general public is not the reality.“Maybe in the 1960s they were a great power," Saciuk said. "They’re showing now that Putin is not as strong as he says he is.”Like "everyone else," Saciuk was surprised when he first heard of Ukraine incursion into Russia. But it all makes sense, he believes. He thinks Putin's days in power are numbered. The attack by Ukraine troops was a tactical masterstroke, according to Saciuk. Like Tunstall, he believes it has helped boost morale. But above that, it has made Putin and Russia look penetrable, as even a "small platoon" could not be stopped. Saciuk hopes the fighting comes to a halt soon. Saciuk said with technological advancements, battles are becoming more gruesome than ever. ️“War is becoming worse and worse," Saciuk said.