Families heartbroken as they watch loved ones fight during Ukraine invasion

In Southwest Florida, families with ties to Ukraine are heartbroken.

For many, it is hard even to imagine what it looked like before the bombs and airstrikes by Russia. Victor Borsukevich remembers because he grew up in Ukraine and now lives in Southwest Florida.

Now, he sees the difficult images of a place he once called home. “It’s… I even cannot describe. It’s… I’m in shock. Really in shock, and sometimes we have tears about what’s going on,” said Borsukevich.

He and his wife have family in Lviv, which is on the western side of Ukraine. Luckily, they’re far from the cities under attack by Russian forces. But, Borsukevich still speaks to his family every single chance he gets and reassures them.

At times, it can be challenging for even him to stay strong. “We just got the news from my cousin to take care of his family. He’s going to the paramilitary organization to work,” Borsukevich said.

This is the reality of war and explains what Ukrainians have lived for the last six days. His cousin has kids, so he wants to make sure they’re ok. “Yes, yes, he has a daughter that’s like 12 and a son,” said Borsukevich.

At least 500,000 people have already fled Ukraine. Those who have stayed know that they’re in harm’s way.

“I am proud of you, proud of my people… Yup, stay strong, we pray for you,” Borsukevich said.

The Ukrainian president called the Russian invasion “a campaign of terror.” Now, there is a war for the world to witness.