At an event marking the anniversary of two years of war in Ukraine, Alfred University students gathered to share their life stories reflecting the reality of life in the ongoing conflict. The meeting discussion, “The Price of Freedom. The Hidden Truth: What the News Doesn’t Tell You” provided an opportunity for open dialog between students and audience members, discussing topics related to the experiences of the Ukrainian people, life under occupation, education during the conflict, and the impact of Russian propaganda and American aid. The main purpose of the event, held the day before the second anniversary of the Russian invasion, was to remind the community of the realities and atrocities of war that many people forget.
“The price of this war is our lives,” these words rang especially loud as the millions of military and civilian deaths that have plagued the conflict were recounted. The discussion encompassed not only the enormous loss of life but also the senselessness of the violence that led to such massive casualties. By emphasizing this aspect, the students sought to draw attention to the need to stop the conflict that continues to take lives every day.
One of the students, Andrei Maltsev, a first-year business analytics student, shared his story of living in the city of Nijin under occupation, where every day became a test of survival. Living under occupation means overcoming fear, uncertainty, and pressure from the occupiers daily. Moreover, it is a life with limited access to basic resources such as electricity, clean water, and medical care, as well as constant propaganda and a complete lack of access to truthful information. Despite the harsh conditions, the spirit of resistance among the community remains a light of hope in dark times.
Learning during the war proved to be another critical topic of discussion. Anna Koreyba, a first-year marketing student, described the difficulties in accessing education as schools and universities were forced to adapt to new realities, including the transition to distance learning in the face of constant shelling, air raids, and lack of light, internet, and water supplies. She emphasized that even during the harsh moments of the war days, during shelling, when they sat in bomb shelters, they brought guitars, and board games and tried to see something good in it all.
When asked from the audience how long they were prepared to continue fighting in the face of the ongoing conflict, the students from Ukraine answered with unyielding determination: “We will fight to the last man. This response is not just words – it is a powerful statement about the indomitable will and resilience of the Ukrainian people, who, despite all the difficulties and trials, continue to stand up for their freedom, sovereignty, and the right to a peaceful future.
The discussion at the Alfred University event also asked about the role of Russian propaganda in the current conflict. Students shared their observations and concerns about how facts are being systematically distorted and false information is being spread to destabilize the situation in Ukraine and undermine the morale of the Ukrainian population. They emphasized that such actions not only mislead the international community but also create additional obstacles to obtaining the necessary support and solidarity from other countries.
The event at Alfred University was a powerful reminder that the war in Ukraine is not just a political conflict, but a profound human tragedy. “It is not just a conflict, it is an attempt to destroy us,” words that sounded like a call to action, to solidarity and support for the Ukrainian people in their struggle for freedom and independence.