Ukraine-Russia Conflict: Mixed Families Face Heartache and Hope

Vasily Bublikov, a half-Ukrainian, half-Russian Chicago resident, feels torn by the ongoing war. His family is split between the two nations, making the conflict personal. “It's like seeing my dad fight my mom, ” he said. The war hit a new high recently when Russia's President Putin threatened to use nuclear weapons. The U. S. allowed Ukraine to strike Russia with longer-range missiles for the first time. This led to international tensions and fears of a wider war. Bublikov hopes for Ukraine's independence and Putin’s defeat, but worries about his relatives on both sides. He left Russia fearing persecution and now actively opposes the war. Iya Kulagina, another mixed heritage individual, also faced family divides. Her mother supported the war, while her stepfather, who is Ukrainian, was against it. She fled Russia with her husband after facing safety issues. Both Bublikov and Kulagina hope to see an end to Putin's regime and freedom for Russians.