Escape from a War Zone 

For decades, Ukraine and Russia were part of a powerful larger nation called the Soviet Union. It broke into 15 separate countries in 1991. 

Yet Russian President Vladimir Putin claims that Ukraine is truly part of Russia. Experts say taking over Ukraine would be a step toward his goal of making Russia a world superpower. But the Ukrainian military, led by President Volodymyr Zelensky, has put up a fierce defense of the country. 

A year later, the war is still raging. Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed. Some cities have been reduced to rubble, and millions of Ukrainians have been forced from their homes (see sidebar, below).

For decades, Ukraine and Russia were part of a powerful larger nation. It was called the Soviet Union. It broke into 15 separate countries in 1991.

Vladimir Putin is the president of Russia. He claims that Ukraine is truly part of Russia. Experts say taking over Ukraine would be a step toward his goal. They say Putin wants to make Russia into a world superpower. But the Ukrainian military has put up a fierce defense of the country. The military is led by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

A year later, the war is still raging. Tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed. Some cities have been reduced to rubble. Millions of Ukrainians have been forced from their homes (see sidebar, below). 

Vladik, Anhelina, and their parents spent five nights huddled in their grandparents’ basement. The constant sound of explosions made it nearly impossible for them to sleep. 

The Rokhmails decided it wasn’t safe to stay in Ukraine. But getting out wouldn’t be easy. Millions of people were streaming toward the country’s borders, desperate to escape. The kids had to say goodbye to their grandparents, who chose to stay behind.

“It was very difficult to leave,” says Anhelina, who’s now 15. “We cried all the time.”

Their first stop was a friend’s home in western Ukraine. The roads were packed, and the family couldn’t drive at night because of a nationwide curfew. As a result, a trip that should’ve taken about 13 hours lasted three days. Along the way, the Rokhmails drove past buildings and roads that had been destroyed by Russian bombs. 

Next, they drove to the neighboring nation of Romania. Eventually, the Rokhmails arrived in Germany, where they stayed with friends for a few months. 

While there, they got a call from a relative in Washington State, who offered to sponsor them to come to the U.S. In June, the Rokhmails boarded a plane that took them to America.

Vladik, Anhelina, and their parents spent five nights huddled in their grandparents’ basement. The constant sound of explosions made it nearly impossible for them to sleep. 

The Rokhmails decided it wasn’t safe to stay in Ukraine. But getting out wouldn’t be easy. Millions of people were streaming toward the country’s borders. They were desperate to escape. The kids had to say goodbye to their grandparents, who chose to stay behind.

“It was very difficult to leave,” says Anhelina, who’s now 15. “We cried all the time.”

Their first stop was a friend’s home in western Ukraine. The roads were packed. The family also couldn’t drive at night because of a nationwide curfew. The trip should’ve taken about 13 hours. But because of delays, it lasted three days. Along the way, the Rokhmails drove past damaged buildings and roads. They had been destroyed by Russian bombs.

Next, they drove to the neighboring nation of Romania. Eventually, the Rokhmails arrived in Germany. They stayed there with friends for a few months. 

While there, they got a call from a relative in Washington State. The relative offered to sponsor them to come to the U.S. In June, the Rokhmails boarded a plane that took them to America.

The family now lives in Jacksonville, Florida. An organization called Catholic Charities helped them get settled. Vladik and Anhelina go to new schools and have made friends. But they are still adjusting to life in a new country. Learning to speak English has been the biggest challenge.

“Everything is different,” Vladik explains. “I am not used to it.”

The family stays in touch with relatives in Ukraine, who keep them updated about the war. Though they’re grateful to be safe, they miss their homeland and the loved ones they left behind.

“I wish the war will end,” says Vladik. “I’d like to go back.”

The family now lives in Jacksonville, Florida. An organization called Catholic Charities helped them get settled. Vladik and Anhelina go to new schools and have made friends. But they are still adjusting to life in a new country. Learning to speak English has been the biggest challenge.

“Everything is different,” Vladik explains. “I am not used to it.”

The family stays in touch with relatives in Ukraine. They keep the Rokhmails updated about the war. The Rokhmails are grateful to be safe. But they miss their homeland and the loved ones they left behind.

“I wish the war will end,” says Vladik. “I’d like to go back.”

1. Why does the author say that getting out of Ukraine “wouldn’t be easy”?

2. What might Vladik mean when he says that “everything is different”?

3. Based on the sidebar, how are refugees different from people who have been internally displaced?

1. Why does the author say that getting out of Ukraine “wouldn’t be easy”?

2. What might Vladik mean when he says that “everything is different”?

3. Based on the sidebar, how are refugees different from people who have been internally displaced?