This INSIDE UKRAINE story is from the city of Kharkiv.

* All images and answers in the feature were provided by the WOW Woman, unless otherwise specified.

INSIDE UKRAINE SERIES: A SNAPSHOT, A DAY-IN-THE-LIFE, A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT’S LIKE TO LIVE, RESIST, SURVIVE AND PERSEVERE IN A NATION UNDER ATTACK.

GLORY TO THE UKRAINIAN WOW WOMEN, for SUPPORTING THEIR COUNTRY AND BRINGING UKRAINE CLOSER TO VICTORY.

At the end of 2021, Ms. Vita Kushnerevych’s plate was full: weddings, formals and holiday parties. Ms. Kushnerevych, a master craftswoman dressmaker, kindly accommodated all requests and whims; from a picky teenager heading to the prom, to a bride, hoping for additional beading on her wedding gown. In early 2022, holidays behind her, it was time for Vita to re-group and rest.

Then, on February 24th, 2022, russia started bombing peaceful Ukraine. Strikes against all major cities (including Kharkiv) began​ at 5.07 a.m.; in that instant, destinies and glimmers of future changed for every single Ukrainian. Vita, the brides and students she dressed had to flee for city’s bomb shelters, grooms and new husbands (as well as some brides) headed for the front. The war in Europe began, with one aggressor country advancing on its neighbour.

Life in Kharkiv became hell in 2022, and a year later russians continue ravaging Ukrainian cities with the indiscriminate bombings and occupation. The distance from Kharkiv to the russian border is about 40 kilometers, or 25 miles, a daily work commute for many in the West. Russians took advantage of that distance, by bombing and destroying infrastructure, hitting residential buildings and leveling schools and hospitals. People in Kharkiv have been killed in their homes and in the streets, in the playgrounds and in the cemeteries, while queueing for humanitarian aid, or shopping for food and medicine. The attacks continue. Russian forces do not seem to care to take the precautions required by the laws of war to minimize civilian harm in any of the documented attacks.

Many Kharkivites, women, mothers and the elderly (men of the fighting age cannot leave Ukraine) fled, trying to find safety. I interviewed refugees from Kharkiv: Alina Slavinska and Olga Etkalo found themselves in Norway, whereas Natalia Petrova and her daughter Camilla ended up in Sweden.

But many Ukrainians stayed. I’m not sure what it is about Kharkiv, but it seems to breed heroes. Vita Kushnerevych’s attention to detail and skilled hands found a new purpose, in this new reality. Vita started creating functional, high-quality camouflage protective wear for the army, for Ukraine’s defenders and for territorial defense volunteers. Vita now works under the oil lamps, when russians blow out power grids, she works during the day next to the taped up windows, as she stitches and re-stitches her pieces made with care and precision.

I've never met Ms. Vita Kushnerevych in person, but I realize that I’ve known her my whole life. She is the face of all the strong aunties I’ve had growing up in Ukraine. She is not taking no for an answer, she cares deeply, is fiercely loyal and is scary when angry. I have met Vita’s daughter, Anna, who is a volunteer in Prague. Anna helps pregnant Ukrainian refugees find strollers and sets up new Ukrainian moms with donated baby items. Anna is a godsend for those who fled Kharkiv, where as her mother Vita is a godsend for those who stayed. These two make me incredibly proud to be a Ukrainian. Did russians really think they were going to stop Ukrainian women?

- Olga Shmaidenko, Founder WOW Woman.

Couture Dressmaker, Army Seamstress, Proud Ukrainian, Kharkiv, Ukraine

1. Name. 

My name is Vita Kushnerevych.

A map above shows the proximity of the city of Kharkiv to the russian Federation, the land that was once occupied and then freed by the Armed forces of Ukraine. Source: criticalthreats.org

3. What did you study and what is your profession?

First education I received is nursing. I also received another degree; I am a teacher-psychologist. But my current profession is my true passion - I create clothes for women.

4. What was your typical day like before the war and how has your role changed since the invasion of Ukraine? 

Before the war, I designed and sewed evening and wedding dresses. My usual day consisted of meetings with the ladies, as we discussed the details of the bride’s image, her mood board and inspirations. We chose fabrics together, then conducted fittings and I proceeded to create in my workshop. These are pleasant memories to have, because it is very inspiring for me to be around positive people, those who are full of happiness. This is the best job for me!

When russians started the war, specifically the full-scale invasion of my country, there was a huge need for military clothing and ammunition. The size of our army was growing rapidly, tens of thousands of brave Ukrainians were joining the ranks of the Defense Forces. Thousands of us, Ukrainian craftsmen and seamstresses, quickly mastered new skills, and began sewing for the army.

Russian aggression against Ukraine started in 2014 (with illegal annexation of Crimea and the eastern provinces). In response, Ukrainians formed several dedicated volunteer organizations in Kharkiv, united around resistance. So, when I needed guidance on how to create specialized items for the army, I tapped into that knowledge, there were reliable people who helped me navigate the what and the how. That’s how I started sewing military ammunition.

It was not easy to find the necessary materials at first. The items are specialized, and must be very reliable and high-quality; as such, I pay special attention to the materials from which I create the pieces. Back in March 2022, fabric was impossible to buy in Kharkiv. Additionally, Kharkiv was bombed all the time.

Our trusty “Barabashovo Market” (ринок Барабашово), where one could find anything and everything, was destroyed by the enemy. However my friends, who live in other cities, helped me quite a bit to procure needed materials.

Ринок Барабашово, площа яку він займає 75 гектарів; це найбільший торговий майданчик Східної Європи, займає 14 місце у рейтингу найбільших ринків світу. Tам можна було придбати все, що завгодно - від одягу до меблів, будь яку побутову техніку, будівельні матеріали й ще дуже багато чого; особисто я постійно їздила в чудові крамнички з тканинами з усьго світу, за фурнітурою й технічним приладдям для шиття. Барабашово горів після прильотів тричі, перша пожежа трапилась в березні; наразі ринок виглядає так.

Barabashovo market, the area of ​​which occupies 75 hectares; it used to be the largest trading platform in Eastern Europe, and ranked 14th largest market in the world. You could buy anything there, from clothes to furniture, all household appliances, building materials and much more. Personally, I used to frequent wonderful shops in search of fabric from all over the world. I also loved purchasing accessories and beading for sewing. Barabashovo Market burned three times after the bombings, the first fire happened in March 2022. The market currently looks like this, destroyed.

Thus, I began to sew and send parcels filled with military items to our boys and girls, who are fighting on the front. Currently, I have reliable suppliers of fabrics and accessories, my friends help with purchasing materials. Thanks to the feedback from our defenders, I’ve had the opportunity to improve upon these products. As winter arrived, I started sewing warm overalls at the request of the guys from the front line. I am thankful I can also cooperate with our amazing volunteers; they are super-motivated people who charge ahead, with their energy and passion.

“Я облаштувала резервну майстерню. В ній є справжня піч , керосинові лампи й " антикварна" швейна машина ( до речі - моя перша )) мені її подарувала бабуся років так 45 тому; тут можна працювати всупереч будь - яким блекаутам, тобто, зовсім без електрики. Тож працюємо далі. Віримо в ЗСУ💛💙 ПЕРЕМОЖЕМО!”

“I set up a backup workshop. It has a real wooden stove, kerosene lamps and an "antique" sewing machine (my first, by the way). My grandmother gave it to me about 45 years ago. I can work here despite the blackouts, or without any electricity at all. So we, Ukrainians, continue to work. We believe in Armed Forces of Ukraine 💛💙WE WILL WIN!”

I don't really know what else I can tell you, something interesting, about this job; it's just a non-stop process of sewing, sending parcels. I am kept inspired every day by my communication with the brave guys who protect us. Here, we all understand that this war is not going to end very soon. This is why we learned to distribute our mental and physical strength, so that it would sustain us for a long haul. We need to work as much as we need, because Victory will require a marathon, not a sprint.

5. What would you say are your strengths and superpowers?

I consider my strong quality to be, what I call, vitality. It is my ability to keep emotional balance and cope with multitasking. I am able to effectively accumulate and transform enthusiasm, anger, excitement and channel them effectively.

In short, I know how to survive.

I don't know if it can be called a superpower, but I know for a fact, that hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians possess such quality.

Це наша Північна Салтівка; найбільший спальний район Харкова. В ньому на момент початку повномаштабного вторгнення проживало більше 300 000 людей. Ці будинки ворог почав обстрілювати в перші ж години наступу, з усіх можливих видів артилерії, ракетами всіх видів; це продовжувалося місяці поспіль. Наразі майже всі мешканці виїхали , їм тепер повертатись нікуди.

This is our Northern Saltivka; the largest sleeping area of ​​Kharkiv. More than 300,000 people lived in it at the time of the full-scale invasion. The enemy began shelling these houses in the very first hours of the offensive (On February 24th 2022), with all possible types of artillery - rockets of all kinds. This torture went on for months-on-end. By now, almost all the residents have left, and now they have nowhere to return.

6. What are things you do just for you? Is it possible to stay sane in a war situation? What are some things that help you to not lose yourself?

I don't do anything specifically to take care of myself, just the usual minimal actions, as before. Is it possible to remain morally stable? It very much depends on the conditions in which a person finds herself; and these conditions are very different for all Ukrainians. I am lucky that my house survived, that I can work in my workshop. I also possess the most valuable things in the world: love, warmth and support of my family. Therefore, yes, I can call myself quite stable morally and psychologically. But I don't even want to imagine what I would do if I had to leave my home.

7. Do you feel the war changed you? How? Since the start of the war, has anything surprised you about yourself (how you have handled yourself, remained strong, found inspiration in unlikely sources, etc.), about your country, about your ideas about humanity? What have been some of your epiphanies?

This is a difficult question. The phrase that we have changed and will never be the same is probably one of the most used today among Ukrainians. I agree with that. But speaking for myself, I personally can't figure out how to describe these inner changes. Perhaps because the process of “change” is still ongoing. I think that it is better to observe it, as if from the sidelines. For example, let’s say someone who has not seen me since before the invasion met me now, what would he or she say about the changes? That would be an interesting observation.

It seems to me that the pace of my life has changed quite a bit; I used to live between constant deadlines. Now the rhythm has slowed, believe it or not; that is, it has slowed down by the need to constantly comprehend, record, analyze, remember events, people's stories, their faces, especially their eyes. There seems to be a great need to have constant awareness of everything that is happening around and one's presence in this reality. It is a process and as such, all personal changes will become noticeable and apparent at a later life point. Somehow, that is my hope.

But let’s talk for a second about what surprised me most in myself; I understood just how powerful the energy of anger and rage can be. But the main thing I realized though, is that it can be transformed not into aggression or violence, but into something useful and constructive, into efficiency. I learned to do it, as did millions of other Ukrainians judging by the miracles our people perform every day (in our country, on the front, and abroad). The fact is, that I learned a lot about my people during this war; about strength, intention and endurance. I learned about the very real and necessary ability to join forces. I learned about incomprehensible and impressive strength of the human spirit and its bravery. These are the most powerful sources of inspiration for me.

As for my epiphany, what I realized really came as a surprise to me. I realized that I was able to “feel” my city. That is, I have always loved Kharkiv, but right now it seems to me that I can sense how life pulsates here. I feel Kharkiv’s powerful deep breathing, as if it is a living being - a seriously wounded being - but still very tenacious and strong. Perhaps this feeling can be called an epiphany.

8. What do you want the world to know about Ukrainians at this moment in time? About Ukrainian women?

I would like the world to know the following about us Ukrainians:

First, we are infinitely and sincerely grateful to all the good people of the world, for their faith in our Victory, for their support and help to our women and children who were forced to flee the country for safety.

Our Ukrainian word "VOLIA" has two meanings. It is a synonym of "freedom", as well as "an irresistible desire and ability to act and achieve a goal, overcoming all obstacles." And now, more than ever, we feel like a FREE NATION precisely in both of these senses, and that is why we are unbreakable.

About Ukrainian women - they have an amazing talent to combine incredible strength of character, courage with magical fragility and beauty. Ukrainian women became warriors, but did not lose their femininity and magical appeal.

9. Who are your WOW Women who inspire you?

Women who inspire me:

My mother. She passed away during this war, but her warmth, her zest for life, her dreams, her love and steadfastness remain with me forever.

My daughter, Sonechko, a fragile girl with a huge heart. An intelligent and conscientious person with a conscious sense of self-worth, who helped me understand many things in this life.

And every day I hear stories about our incredible Ukrainian women who inspire me; and there are a lot of them.

My daughter Anna (above) inspires me every day. I call her Sonechko (Little Sunshine). these photos of her were taken before the war.

11. What will be the first thing you’ll do when Ukraine wins? What are your dreams for yourself and your family after the war is finished?

I have not yet thought about what my first hours will be like after our Victory; I am afraid there will be many tears, and not only from joy, because it is incredibly emotional for me right now to imagine what the price of this Victory will be for Ukraine.

I would love to get my whole family together. There is nothing more I’d like than to have an opportunity to see my son and my daughter more often, just to meet and have a chat together.

About my dreams - well, they certainly exist; there are plans, and projects I still dream about and wishes I harbour inside me. One project, I already started working on: talented Ukrainian women and girls will be involved in this work. We plan to create clothes decorated with Ukrainian ornaments, which will be hand-embroidered by Ukrainian craftswomen and craftsmen. This is the beginning of the project.

It is not only possible, but is also incredibly necessary to chase dreams and follow new projects now, without waiting for better times. You see, when doing something you love, it helps you to maintain a balance in life, keeps you calm and brings you joy. The things I want to create will be unique and special, because they will be created by the inspired Ukrainians, those working here in Kharkiv under conditions of the war, essentially on the front line, often beside kerosine lamps in the dark and performing their tasks to the sounds of the sirens. But this activity for us, this is exactly what helps us to survive and recover psychologically. That is why there is no need to wait, for anyone, even Ukrainians, to do something interesting; because every day of your life is valuable.

12. Where can others find you/your work? (links to website, blog, etc).

These are my Instagram pages.

@vita_kushnerevych, my business account and @kolo_tamary, new project featuring our hand-embroidered Ukrainian clothing.