A Russian restaurant becomes Ukrainian in the West Village after invasion prompts owner to reaffirm her roots

Sometimes war means picking a side.

That’s what Sveta Savchitz did recently when she rebranded her Manhattan Russian eatery into a Ukrainian restaurant, though little has really changed.

Sveta on Carmine St. in the West Village, was called a Russian restaurant when it made the move from Rego Park two years ago because she felt Americans would be more familiar with Russian food.

But the invasion of Ukraine had Savchitz thinking a lot about her identity

“My mother is Russian, my father is Jewish, for 33 years I was living in Ukraine. Who I am?” asked Savchitz, who is from Kharkiv.

“My family is over there, my two sisters. They’re bombing every day, every day,” said Savchitz, who runs the restaurant with her son Alan Aguichev.

Others in her family have fled to Germany or relocated to live with relatives elsewhere in Ukraine.

One night a bomb landed behind one of her sisters’ homes, blasting away half the building. “In the morning they’re scared, they’re crying,” said Savchitz.

“I don’t know how to explain it,” she says about how she feels seeing the war from afar.

“I lived there for 33 years. This is my country, America, but it’s different. It’s like from my heart,” she said. “I make a prayer every day, every morning.”

Savchitz makes it clear that she believes the war is not with Russia’s people, but is the fault of one person in particular.

“Nobody understands what Putin wants from Ukraine,” she said. “Because [there are] no fascists, no Nazis.”

The restaurant’s focus shifted from Russian to Ukrainian after the war began and some vicious messages were sent by people who thought the owners were from Russia.

“In the beginning, maybe two times and in the email,” said Savchitz.

Even so, Savchitz says she was shown more love than hate.

“People who came to my restaurant every day to support — American, Indian, African-American — every day, support,” she said, struggling to express her gratitude. “I cry every day.”

“A lot of people call and ask ‘How can I send money to Ukraine?’ Amazing, amazing.”

Subtle changes on the menu began to reflect Savchitz’s roots: Russian Toast became Ukrainian Toast and Russian Borscht was renamed Ukrainian Borscht. A blue and yellow mimosa was created.

“Before, it doesn’t matter for me — Russia, Ukraine, the same culture, the same food — but for now I want to say ‘Guys, I’m sorry, I’m not from Russia. I’m from Ukraine...That’s why I’m doing this.”

The restaurant is also beginning to assist Savchitz’s homeland. The proceeds from Saturday’s brunch will be donated to UNICEF to benefit children in Ukraine.

“It’s small, but it’s something. People need help,” said Savchitz. “It’s a very difficult time.”