Manager of HUB Nusle gave a speech at an event in the centre of Prague

HUB Nusle manager Liudmyla Korostashevych spoke at the Together for Ukraine! The event was held on Old Town Square in Prague to mark the third anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine.

Liudmyla Korostashevych shared her story as a refugee. She also told about her father - a drone operator who died fighting for Ukraine. Her mother is a combat medic who continues to serve and save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers.

"My story is about refugees, about the difficulties children face, about the family of soldiers, about volunteering. It is also about understanding that no matter where I am, I can still help Ukraine. Everyone should get involved, not be indifferent and honour the memory of our fallen soldiers. It is important to me that Czechs want to hear our stories, that they care, that they share our pain. That's when I really felt their support. I am grateful to the organizers for inviting me to speak," said Liudmyla Korostashevych.

The HUB Nusle team also joined the memorial march organized by the Voice of Ukraine. Participants walked to the monument of Taras Shevchenko to commemorate the fallen.

Vystoupení Liudmyly Korostashevych od 57:45.

Celý text vystoupení

Before the war I was an English teacher in Chernihiv region.

On February 24, I woke up with an explosion. My parents immediately joined the army, although they were not obliged to mobilise. They had been helping the soldiers since 2014. They have never been indifferent. So I take care of the children and my parents defend Ukraine.

I ran away from home with my son, younger sister, cousin and grandmother - Russian tanks were already on their way to us. The worst thing is to fear for your own child's life. But at the same time, I was terrified that we were leaving without money for the unknown, for a country we knew nothing about, where no one was waiting for us.

There were volunteers at the registration centre in Prague who supported us. I want you to know: we remember your help. I remember the volunteer who distributed the tea, and how I was overcome with tears of gratitude at the time. I remember the woman who silently walked up to my grandmother on the street, shook her hand, gave her 1 000 crowns without saying a word - and I didn't even have time to thank her.

We remember all your help and today we THANK YOU!

Then my son and my siblings started school, and it was a huge challenge for us - the kids didn't know the language and were scared. They faced bullying. Fortunately, the situation was resolved in time and the teachers intervened. Children should not face discrimination because of their nationality. Thank you to all the teachers who accept all children without prejudice.

I immediately found a job and started volunteering at the "Prague Maidan" to help others. Now we live in Prague, I am learning Czech, my son is in 3rd grade and I am grateful to the Czech Republic for a safe second home.

The year is 2024. My parents are still serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. My father is a drone operator, my mother a combat medic - evacuating the wounded, training soldiers and providing first aid.

My father and his unit defended Ukrainian positions in the Pokrov direction. Part of it was attacked by the Russians. My father died on October 28 from his wounds. My mother continues to serve.

My father Ihor fought for justice, for his home, for love for his children, for a just peace for all of us. He was killed by Russian soldiers on his own land. They come to us, they kill, they steal our children's childhood.

Now my son has no grandfather he loved so much, my sister has become an orphan, my mother has lost her husband, my grandmother her only son. And I have lost the most precious person, my support in life - and that cannot be repaired. But our story is just a drop in the ocean.

Don't be indifferent.

Today we will not let Ukraine fall! Yes, you are tired. You are tired of us, the refugees. Each of you has your own problems. But Ukrainians - my friends - are also tired of the explosions, the fear for their children and the funerals of their loved ones.

This war is not just our fight. It is a fight for human rights and common security.

Let us remember the price we are paying for freedom, democracy and a just peace for our children. Evil must be punished! We must be strong - and strength is in unity.

Long live the Czech Republic! Glory to Ukraine!