Ksenia Gladenka: People cannot be divided into good and bad based on ethnic characteristics.
This article was prepared as part of the project “Empowerment of Roma Women,” implemented with the support of Diakonissalaitos. The opinions and positions expressed in the publication do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Chirikli Foundation.
What is it like to be Belarusian in Ukraine today? Have you faced prejudices?
For a while, I was ashamed of my passport. When I came to Ukraine, it wasn’t easy to show it. I knew that various questions would arise that had nothing to do with my activities. And I would have to justify things that were beyond my control.
How did you learn about the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine?
The day before, my Ukrainian acquaintance and I in Estonia were considering creating a human rights organization for Belarusian and Ukrainian refugees. In the end, we concluded that there would be no war. I was confident about this! But on the morning of February 24th, my acquaintance called me and said that the war had begun. I didn’t understand anything and didn’t even believe it. I went back to sleep. When I woke up completely, I began to realize…
Why didn’t you believe it?
Because it simply doesn’t fit into any norms of international humanitarian law, the norms of civilized society. As a person with a legal education, it’s hard for me to imagine that there could be a war in 2022. Even the term “war” in the legal context has no place after 1945.
What the Russian military is doing is genocide and war crimes against civilians and prisoners of war. We are currently witnessing countless human rights violations.
Human rights violations are not only by the Russian military, or is there something else implied?
Not only by the occupiers. I traveled to Zaporizhia several times. Children with disabilities were brought to one of the hospitals there, and I’m currently trying to arrange with representatives from other countries to evacuate these children to a safe area. The Ukrainian authorities cannot admit that they made any mistakes. However, the Ukrainian side cannot evacuate the children anywhere. It’s pointless to turn to the regional administration—they don’t accept because most of them have left.
I tried to discuss this matter with the deputy director of the shelter where the children came from, as well as with the director of the Regional Department of Health. They were rude and yelled at me. They are not ready to communicate. During an unofficial meeting with a representative of the Zaporizhia regional administration, he suggested reaching out to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Ukraine. But I contacted the Norwegian Embassy because I consider this country the most democratic, one that values human rights. However, they haven’t responded for two weeks.
Let’s come back to this issue later. Please tell us, how and why did you start helping Ukrainians?
Considering that I understand that Ukraine now stands for all of Europe and the world, I understand that only when Ukraine wins will the Russian regime fall and the Belarusian one as well.
Initially, I worked in the information field, in the digital environment. I wrote and shared accurate news. After a while, there was an event in Tallinn to support the Ukrainian people, and the next day there was an event by the Belarusian diaspora against the Russian aggression, as they began to oppress the Belarusian population. I took part in these events. That’s how it all began.
You touched on an important topic—Lukashenko’s regime. About 150,000 Belarusians are fighting in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. What motivates them?
I encountered Belarusians among the military in Ukraine. It seems to me that the Belarusian and Ukrainian peoples have always had warm relations. My Belarusian acquaintances who live abroad help Ukraine as they can. They organize actions and protests, for example. But there are people abroad who believe in Russian propaganda because it’s very harsh. In Belarus, we’ve awakened a little, because we remember our 2020. Although there’s still significant propaganda in Belarus.
We never had such an independent media space as you have. Separate opposition news portals, yes. But they were sponsored by foreign donors. Someone always dictates the terms. “Nasha Niva” is one of the oldest publications in Belarus. It used to be in print and now it’s online. It’s an opposition publication that tries to provide news as truthfully as possible. As far as I know, the chief editor is now in prison.
So, do most Belarusians support Ukrainians?
Definitely abroad, but in the country itself, I don’t know, as I don’t communicate with them. My Belarusian acquaintance living in Norway helps Ukrainian refugees with legal and humanitarian issues. He works tirelessly, even when it’s tough for him.
Moreover, when I posted about collecting help, a girl with a Russian passport but not living in Russia messaged me. She sent money to support a village near Chernihiv and noted that she didn’t need a photo report. It was important for her to help, as she’s also embarrassed by her passport. And she’s not the only one; there are many like her. Adequate Russians exist, but they live outside Russia.
Did you receive any response from Ukrainians when you were collecting help for our refugees?
Yes, both personally and in comments. A girl from Zaporizhia shared a story there about corruption and theft of humanitarian aid. Other commentators didn’t believe her and said it was some pro-Russian lie. Now this incident is widely known. The truth must remain the truth. If we keep silent about it, corruption will persist even after victory.
There are always people who are dissatisfied with something. They think they could have done better. For the sake of supporting my emotional state and balance, I don’t pay attention to negative comments.
Did you also help Roma families? How did that happen?
I met Roma families, or even two families, living together at a humanitarian center in Lviv. I noticed how volunteers were discriminating against them. So, we exchanged contacts, one sponsor provided funding, and I bought groceries and delivered them. Then I contacted Yulian Kondur, and the “Chirikli” Foundation also started to help.
Once, I visited the house where they lived. The authorities provided them with housing, saying, “Be thankful for what you got.” But the plaster was falling on their heads. Again, should we keep silent or speak up? In Lviv, shelters for Roma families are now prohibited. I tried to find out why, and I was told that there are many problems with Roma people. But are there no problems with other people? They understand that Roma people have nowhere to go, but they still refuse. Everyone knows about it.
Another Roma family also went to the administration with the same issue. There are 2 girls and 5 children in their family. They were also denied shelter. They have to somehow find money because they aren’t supported. People cannot be divided into good and bad based on ethnic characteristics. Foolish stereotypes.
Also, when I traveled to Lviv, I lived with a Roma family at a parish that provides shelter and support today, without racial discrimination.
What is the most impactful story you’ve heard during the war?
I volunteered at Kyiv Railway Station and heard many stories there. I stopped reading the news then because I wasn’t sure if I could handle that flood of information. I listened to people, and that’s how I learned everything. I saw an incident where a girl’s sister-in-law’s head was blown apart by a shell, and shrapnel hit her nephew. He survived. But he has to learn to walk and talk again. He saw all of this too.
It’s hard to single out just one story. I remembered this story the most because I was amazed by how they gathered their strength. The strength of the human spirit is fascinating.
Where do you find the strength and resources?
It’s simple: people give me strength. In this sense, I’m quite selfish—I love it when people thank me. And I like that I’ve brought benefit, helped someone.
Is that where your strength and pain come from, or is it just my imagination?
I try not to think about it. Sometimes it’s hard when regular people accuse me and say I’m a traitor. I have a special little box for such cases, which I brought from Tallinn. I cut some fur from my cat and put it in there. Children I help give me toys, hairpins, and bands. Acquaintances give me something as a memento. I put everything in there and carry it with me everywhere. When it becomes really hard, I open it, look through everything, and calm down. Then I don’t seem like such a bad Belarusian to myself.
