MU Ukrainian students struggle to stay in touch with families undergoing power outages

With Russia relentlessly striking water and power utilities in Ukraine, University of Missouri Ukrainian students Vlad Sazhen and Alina Rohulia said they're having problems keeping in touch with their families in their homeland.

"We have a lot of problems," Rohulia said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of "energy terrorism" in the attacks.

Because of the frequent power outages from the Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure, their families in Ukraine can't keep their phones charged, they said.

"People are not able to cook for themselves," Rohulia said.

She read that 40% of Ukraine's power infrastructure had been knocked out, she said.

"All the time the power goes out," Sazhen said. "They have no internet. Now they are desperate."

With less power supply and demand from so many people, the demand on the power grid is high, Sazhen said.

Previously it was one city at a time hit by shelling and missiles that knock out power, he said.

"Now, the whole Ukraine suffers," Sazhen said. "Reliable electricity is the key to normal life."

Russia doesn't strike military targets, only civilian ones, Sazhen said. If it continues into the colder winter months, things could get really bad.

"More than anyone else, civilians are suffering," Sazhen said.

Iran is planning to provide more drones to Russia, Rohulia said.

"Ukraine will be without any electricity," she said.

The United States has also alleged that North Korea has been supplying Russia with artillery shells.

"It's like in Marvel movies where all the evil characters are coming together to face the forces of good," Sazhen said.

The recent response from Western nations has been weak, he said.

It was reported this week that Russian generals have discussed using nuclear bombs.

"Let's hope this is just speculation," Sazhen said.

Russia also is abducting Ukrainian children and forcibly adopting them to Russian families, Rohulia said. As many as 9,400 children have been removed from Ukraine, she said.

Bakhmut, a city in Donetsk, is receiving the worst of the Russian attacks, including the use of phosphorous bombs, Sazhen said.

"This city is getting absolutely destroyed and washed away from the face of the Earth," Sazhen said. "Obviously a lot of civilians are suffering."

Though all the recent news is of Russian attacks, Rohulia and Sazhen said they're sure the Ukrainian military is making plans, but keeping quiet about them.

"We are sure in our victory," Sazhen said.

They have each donated to the Serhiy Prytula Foundation, which is raising money to purchase 50 Spartan armored personnel carriers from Great Britain, they said.

"Ukrainians are gathering the funds to kick some Russian butts," Sazhen said.

They also participate in efforts to demoralize Russian soldiers, they said.

Rohulia's mom visits family dog in Kharkiv

Rohulia's mom spent five days in their hometown of Kharkiv this week, Rohulia said. The trip included a visit with their dog who her parents left with a friend before moving to Poltava. Jerry is a female American cocker spaniel.

Her mom returned to Poltava after five days, Rohulia said.

"Kharkiv was shelled again heavily," Rohulia said.

Keeping up with their studies

Their studies are going well, they said.

"I like all of my subjects," Rohulia said. "Studying here is fun."

Students learn more than theory, she said.

"Here they teach you to be a problem-solver," she said.

Though thermodynamics is a difficult subject, his professor, Stephen Lombardo, makes the subject interesting and understandable, Sazhen said.

"I really enjoy his lectures," Sazhen said of Lombardo.

Roger McKinney is the Tribune's education reporter. You can reach him at rmckinney@columbiatribune.com or 573-815-1719. He's on Twitter at @rmckinney9.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Russian strikes on infrastructure leaves millions without power