Former Geelong man reveals reality of life in war-torn Ukraine

A former Geelong resident has detailed the frightening reality of life in Ukraine in the days since Russia’s invasion.

A former Geelong resident has revealed the frightening reality of life in Ukraine in the days since Russia’s invasion.

Ollie, who is from Bila Tserkva about 80km south of Ukrainian capital Kyiv, spent six months living in Geelong with his cousin Paul Kaminskyj and Paul’s wife Casey in 2013 when he was a teenager.

Ollie.

The 24-year-old, who runs a clothing business, told the Addy he fell in love with Geelong and Australia.

“I even had a dream to move to live in Australia,” Ollie said.

But this dream has been interrupted by factors like Covid, and now, war.

After his city started to be bombed last week, Ollie and his family fled with their pets.

“It was about 5.30am in the morning, everyone woke up from the sounds of rockets that attacked the military airport in our city,” he said.

“Then everyone realised that the war had begun.

“Many people immediately began to run, leave the city, there were queues at petrol stations.”

His father, a prison worker aged in his 50s, stayed in the city to protect it.

Ollie has many friends in the army and signing up to join civilian defensive forces.

Ollie and a friend were keen to join the civilian defensive force, but were turned away due to lack of experience.

Bila Tserkva, Ukraine, picture in 2016.

He said people were not afraid of being conscripted.

“These are our families that need to be protected, our country, our land – the Ukrainian people are ready and will do everything to live in peace,” he said.

Ukrainian men aged between 18 and 60 have been restricted from leaving and urged to join the army.

Ollie, right, in Geelong with Casey

Ollie has not been able so far to join due to issues related to having cancer as a child, believed to be linked to radiation from the Chernobyl disaster.

Earlier this week Ollie’s family returned to Bila Tserkva, which seemed quiet and was experiencing good weather.

But Ollie soon found himself in a shelter after a bomb attack was launched while he tried to visit the grocery store.

Geelong couple Casey and Paul Kaminskyj. Picture: Mark Wilson

“Everyone is afraid … everyone is struggling with fear and everyone helps as best they can,” he said.

Ollie’s cousin, Mr Kaminskyj, said what Ollie was going through seemed a world away from his time soaking up Geelong’s sites and enjoying surfing.

Mr Kaminskyj, 46, said he and Casey had many sleepless nights since the Russians invaded, and were constantly monitoring the news.

While they initially felt helplessness, the Geelong West couple are now focused on how they can help.

Mr Kaminskyj said he was amazed by the strength of the Ukrainian people and the support that Ukraine is receiving worldwide.

Originally published as Former Geelong man reveals reality of life in war-torn Ukraine