Colby students from Eastern Europe worry about their families after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine might not seem like something that’s relevant to many of us. For many, it’s just a skirmish between two distant countries known to be constantly at odds with each other — something bound to happen at some point. It’s also something not particularly noteworthy, given the unending slew of crises and mishappenings that the last two years have thrown around. But for others, their dearest family and friends face the constant threat of death and injury, being caught between a war so desperately out of their control and imaginations. 

The College has a thriving and vibrant international community comprising students and faculty from all corners of the world. A decent share of this community come from the countries directly affected by this conflict: Ukraine, Russia, and others in the region. 

Many members of this community are the only members of their family currently in the United States, with the rest still in their home countries. As such, for some students here at Colby, the conflict is much closer to home.

For students who have family and friends in the midst of war, facing a real threat of death and annihilation, being in a position and place of safety and assurance like that of the College doesn’t provide relief, but rather the exact opposite.

“I don’t know what to feel about being here right now. In a way, it feels like I should be there with my family. It feels like I’ve undeservingly cheated death just simply by being here and not back in Ukraine,” said Vlada Trofimchuk ‘23. “It’s a lot of survivor’s guilt, knowing that I’m safe while my family faces the risk of dying every day.”

This sentiment isn’t only shared by those with family in Ukraine, but also by those with family in other nearby countries as well. 

“Kazakhstan has always lived in Russia’s shadow, and because of that, I sometimes fear for my family who still live there,” said Akezhan Meirkhanov ‘22. “Even though Kazakhstan tries to stay on Russia’s good side, it’s still hard to know for sure what’s going to happen. It’s for sure a lot of uncertainty, and being in a safe place doesn’t help much with that.”

Being so close yet so distant leaves many here with only one option: to generate conversation.

“The Russian department works hard to create discourse about the war; we try on many occasions to talk about these things and raise awareness and inform those around us. Being here and unable to take any action leaves doing this as our only option; it’s the least we can do to try to change things,” Trofimchuk added. “If we can get more people talking about it, then hopefully someone will be able to help.”

On Mar. 9, the College held a vigil for Ukraine and its people. Members of the College shared reflections, stories, music, culture, and poetry from Ukrainians and others who have suffered from the conflict.

The conflict between Ukraine and Russia is complex and has geopolitical implications. What does this conflict mean in terms of the global economy and the fleetingly stable supply line that sustains everyone? What does it mean with regard to the relationship between other countries and Russia? What does it mean in terms of other countries’ relationships with North Korea and China? Will this embolden them to take unexpected actions as well?

While it can be easy to ask these questions about movement and politics on a grand scale, it is much harder to see the other layers, those concerning individual human lives. 

Those who do not have a direct relationship with the countries involved, with family in the midst of the fighting, may not be able to understand certain dimensions of the conflict. Observers to the conflict may not be able to understand the looming sense of fear and uncertainty and the constant worry of never being able to see a loved one again. 

It can be easy to sit back and evaluate the repercussions of the conflict in terms of economics and world politics. What is often left out of discussion, however, are evaluations of the individual impact this might have: the death and tearing apart of families. This is particularly difficult to handle for Colby students watching this happen to their families and communities from an entirely different continent. 

~ Dimitri Lin`25