If the local Ukrainian food festival raised $5,000 or even $10,000, I thought that would be very successful. In my dreams, I hoped we could reach $15,000 or $20,000, but in the end, we raised an unbelievable $36,000!

The organizers, Cincy4Ukraine and Hope4Ukraine, bought and fully equipped a Mercedes Benz Sprinter ambulance which has already been shipped to Ukraine where it will help save lives. The remaining $7,000 will purchase additional medical supplies.

The event was held last month at the United Church of Christ on Fleming Road. When I arrived at about 12:30 p.m., the church parking lot was already full. A traffic jam quickly developed as cars started to search for parking on nearby side streets. A long line of eager supporters quickly formed and snaked across the parking lot. Unfortunately, the line moved slowly but most people were very patient despite the long wait. Despite the logistic problems, the day was a smashing success!

The menu included: grilled kebabs (sashlik), beet soup (borscht), stuffed cabbage rolls (holubtsi), dumplings stuffed with potatoes (varenyky also called pierogis), cheese crepes (nalesniki), and many other tasty treats! The preparations began weeks earlier, and Nataliya and I helped bake pierogis and nalesniki. The nalesniki were filled with lemon flavored cottage cheese which was delicious! Numerous desserts were also available.

The event also included kids’ activities, a gift shop, and several different performances, including  singers, dancers,  and a musician with a bandura (Ukrainian instrument similar to a guitar)! It was very powerful and rewarding to see the community come together and make such a significant contribution to aid Ukraine. It also felt comforting to know that we could make a difference on an individual level to alleviate a tiny fraction of the suffering that Putin continues to inflict on innocent Ukrainians.

Indeed, Ukraine continues to suffer. But after nearly 3 months of fighting, Ukrainian forces recently launched a counterattack near Kharkiv, Nataliya’s hometown, that has pushed Russian forces all the way back to the border (nearly 30 miles) although some Russians remain to the east of the city. Russian troops attacked Kharkiv at the outset of the war but failed to capture the city and laid siege to it for nearly 3 months. The Russians never completely encircled the city either.

The successful Ukrainian counterattack shows they can still go on the offensive and retake significant territory. It also highlights the total incompetence and impotence of the Putin’s armed forces. By concentrating on eastern Ukraine, Putin seems to have left himself vulnerable on his flanks. Putin has only captured 2 major cities since the war began: Melitopol (150,000 pop.) and Kherson (289,000 pop.) , as well as the ruins of Mariupol (formerly 446,00 pop.). These meager victories have come at a staggering cost of up to 25,000 Russian and separatist casualties (killed, wounded, and missing).

Nataliya’s parents live in a village on the western outskirts of Kharkiv and say the Ukrainian counterattack has pushed the frontlines away from them. Their village had been subject to sporadic rocket or artillery fire when the Russians were closer, but now they only hear explosions in the distance. Previously, it had been very difficult to obtain food or money, but the bank and a few shops have reopened. We chatted over FaceTime recently and Iryna, Nataliya’s mother, said things were much better now.

Nataliya’s brother Michael fled Kharkiv a few weeks before the Ukrainian counteroffensive. He drove his wife, who has never lived anywhere outside of Kharkiv, and 5-year-old son to a small town in western Ukraine where they rented a condo. Nataliya and I were relieved, even though we thought they should have left long before then! Although the Ukrainian counterattack helped relieve some of the pressure on Kharkiv, officials have warned residents not to return. Nevertheless, as many as 2,000 residents a day are returning.

After nearly 3 months of continuous bombardment, the city has been devastated. Kharkiv is Cincinnati’s sister city and was Ukraine’s 2^nd largest city. Once known for its museums and architectural heritage, more than 1,500 buildings have been damaged or destroyed, including dozens of historic landmarks. More than 600 local residents were killed by the barrage of Russian rockets and artillery, including indiscriminate cluster munitions (with which targeting cities is illegal and immoral).

It will take years to rebuild, and the Ukrainians will never forget or forgive the atrocities that have been committed. Restitution can begin by seizing Russian assets and forfeiting them to Ukraine (even though it may only amount to a drop in the bucket). Slava Ukraini!