Nataliia fell in love again, this time with an American she met while he was in the Ukraine on a vacation. He also fell in love and was excited for his new life of taking care of Nataliia and her two young children.
They met in the beautiful port city of Kherson, considered the fortress of the Black Sea Fleet in the southwest district of Ukraine and founded in 1778. She was eager to introduce him to her family, especially her babusya (grandmother) who most certainly is the matriarch of the family.
They talked of a life they could have in her country while enjoying the beautiful parks, life along the sea and the rich history of a country full of people who share a love of the land and rich culture.
Winter comes and uneasiness spreads over the peacefulness of the city. Russian President Vladimir Putin increases Russian presence along the Ukrainian border with over 100,000 troops deployed. Just that quickly the safety of the her children and of the American she falls in love with come together in a decision to leave her grandmother, brother and father behind and move to America, or perhaps lose it all. She and her husband came to the U.S. in December. Two months later the invasion begins.
“I cry every day. I cry for my family, my friends, my country I love. I watch American news and I get a news feed from Ukraine. I am just so sad,” Nataliia said in her broken English.
Nataliia and her husband, Scott Duren, and their two children moved to Weatherford from Kherson. Scott grew up in Blanchard, Oklahoma. His grandparents were from Weatherford and he says some of his happiest childhood memories are from his time spent in Weatherford. This is where they decided to put down new roots. They enrolled their children in Weatherford schools but the language barrier along with constant news of Ukraine was just too much. The children are taking time away from school to process the current issues overseas.
Kherson is now under Russian control as of March 2, 2022. Much of the city is devastated. She sees children of Kherson living on the streets, sleeping on the ground, going hungry.
“How does this happen today? Have we not evolved as a society to not destroy people and a country like this,” she asks? Tears fall again as she talks about the Ukrainian children who have needlessly died.
“Why are they killing children? Why does this have to happen,” said asks again?
The sources bounce all over the place with the actual number of casualties on both sides. Most sources say over 3,000 Ukrainian solders have been killed, 4,000 injured and over 500 captured. Civilian deaths are in the hundreds and over a million Ukrainians have fled the country. With such devastation in the country against a seemingly huge world-power like Russian, we have to ask Nataliia if she can still maintain optimism that Ukraine can stave off a full takeover of the country.
“I know we will. We have the rest of the world as our friends and we so much feel that. We know other countries just as the United States are helping us tremendously and we are so thankful. I believe we struggle for a reason but good will win,” she said.
Ukraine has a history of conflict that rivals any country. With a large Ukrainian Jewish population, the city was a huge target by Hitler and has suffered literally hundreds of invasions creating a citizenry of resounding people.
Natallia was born in Russia. Her father is from Kherson and brought his family back home. She has many friends and family still in Russia.
“My friends and family tell me the people of Russia do not support this invasion. They say the propaganda put out by the government-controlled media in Russia fills the people’s heads with false information. What people are told is not what is really happening,” she said.
Natallia says the truth about what is happening is so much different than what people are hearing. She says the country of Russia is not as strong as most think and their leadership is very weak and without support of the people.
She says the deaths sustained by Russian troops far, far outnumber the deaths of Ukrainians. She goes on to say the bombings may look like the country is devastated but the people remain strong.
“We are so fortunate to have Volodymry Zelensky as our president. He is an inspiration to us all. He is incredible as a leader and, all of this without much experience. Sometimes I think this (lack of experience) is better,” she added. Zelensky took office only three years ago and is now fighting for the future of his country.
“The people of Ukraine are strong, they are powerful and thank God, have the arms of the world around us…with all of this we will succeed,” she said.
Events have quickly turned to borders being closed by Russian military so food and supplies cannot get into Ukraine by truck. This also means Ukrainians are not able to get out of the country.
Scott has established an account at Southwest National Bank of Weatherford to accept donations for the people of Kherson. Scott is taking a hiatus from a successful career as an oil and gas land man to work at the Weatherford Walmart so he can spend more time with his family as they settle in to a western Oklahoma lifestyle. He said they can still ship supplies of household necessities back to the families in Ukraine and says it is very necessary because most of the store shelves are now empty in Kherson.