War in Ukraine hits close to home for area families

While almost everyone is following the news of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, no one is watching more intently than the Kulibaba family of rural Brandon, Neb., as they left Ukraine, their homeland, and their family there several years ago to make a living in the United States.
Six years ago, Iurii Kulibaba came to America with the intention of finding temporary work, and returning after making some money to help out his family who lived in Poltava, a village approximately 100-150 miles from the Russian border.
He worked for one harvest cycle for Briggs Harvesting of Imperial, and was invited to return the following season. He declined, saying that he had a family in Ukraine.
Briggs then extended the invitation to the whole family which at the time included Iurii’s wife Ruslana, and their young son, Max. The Kulibabas decided to return to work, and make western Nebraska their home.
“That first year was hard for me,” said Ruslana, “I didn’t know any English—zero.”
She had no mode of transportation, no driver’s license, and didn’t know a soul.
“Every year has gotten better and better,” she said. “We have made some friends, and I’m learning more and more English.”
The routine had been to work spring through fall with the harvest crew that travels as well as harvests in the area. During the winter, the family would return to Ukraine. This year, they were unable to return because of the birth of their new son, Mark, now three months. They were unable to get passports, so remained in Nebraska.
While they are thankful they are not in Ukraine at this time, they are extremely worried for their family members who remain—Ruslana’s mother and sister; Iurii’s father and sister and her children; aunts, uncles, cousins.
Many Ukrainians are trying to escape the war by leaving the country, but the Kulibaba’s relatives are staying home and praying, saying it’s not safe to travel anywhere in Ukraine.
“It’s worse in the bigger cities, like the capital city of Kyiv, and Kharkiv,” said Ruslana. People there are trying find refuge in smaller towns.
People in Poltava can hear artillery fire in the distance, although no Russians have entered their village as of yet. Poltava is located about 40 miles from Okhtyrka, a military base.
Ruslana has heard stories of people blocking the progress of Russian military vehicles by standing in the street.
At night is the worst, relays Iurii’s sister, who has two daughters to take care of. They spend some of their time in the cellar for protection, but come upstairs when it gets too cold and wet. “I think a lot of people just don’t sleep during the night,” said Ruslana, “they’re afraid.”
It’s nearly impossible for the Kulibabas to think of anything but the turmoil their families are experiencing. They attempt at times to turn their minds off by playing games, but find that they can’t concentrate on anything for very long.
Ruslana said it seems that the whole world wants to help Ukraine.
“Even to be here it is hard, because it’s our country and home. We were born and raised there,” Ruslana said.
“I would just like to ask people to pray.”
other acquaintances
Shane and Karma Briggs, part owners of Briggs Harvesting, hosted a Ukrainian foreign exchange student, Yuliia Shurek, for part of the 2019-2020 school year in Ogallala.She was from the capital city of Kyiv.
Karma describes Yuliia as “very polite, very kind, and a delight to have with us.” She took an interest in sports as it was something she hadn’t experienced much in her home country, where she instead focused on dance.
Karma has kept in touch with Yuliia since, through email and social media. She was able to connect with Yuliia recently, and has learned that she has made her way to the western part of the country, and is staying with her older sister Olga at the home of a family friend.
Yuliia said they are safe for the time being, the closest bombing being 35 kilometers away, but have heard several sirens warning of air danger.
“Our hearts go out to them,” Karma said. “I just wish there was somethiing we could do for them.”
In addition, Briggs employs two other Ukrainian people, who had returned to Ukraine for the winter. They were able to reach one who said he was safe in the western region of the country. The other has not made contact.