KYIV, Ukraine – As the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its fourth day, the situation on the ground is still rapidly evolving. There are reports of artillery barrages, small arms fire, and troops moving throughout northern, eastern, and southern Ukraine, most notably near the capital, Kyiv. The authorities in Ukraine have declared martial law and a state of general mobilization in response to the attack.
All over the country, civilians are fleeing, heading to shelters, or taking arms. According to the United Nations’ human rights office, at least 64 Ukrainian civilians have so far lost their lives in the invasion as of the 26th, and at least 240 civilian casualties have been reported.
Last evening, Russian forces entered Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, while other forces bypassed other cities and are reported to be heading for Kyiv. BBC reported the Kyiv residents were being urged to close their windows after an oil depot was hit by Russians and burst into flames, releasing toxic fumes.
Reports suggest that Ukrainians have put up far greater resistance than the Russians expected to encounter, while the Russian forces themselves have been disorganized and sometimes confused about their objectives. The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War said that Russian forces have “failed to encircle and isolate Kyiv with mechanized and airborne attacks as it had clearly planned to do.”
Amidst protests in Moscow against the invasion, Russian president Vladamir Putin has ordered the country’s nuclear deterrent forces on high alert. Riot police are reported to be on duty in Red Square and other locations in the city.
Yulia Ivanytska, who runs a Pagan-themed crafts store based in Chernihiv, Ukraine [courtesy]
TWH spoke with Yulia Ivanytska, a Ukrainian Pagan craftswoman and embroidery artist from the town of Chernihiv, located in the north of Ukraine, in between Kyiv, Belarus, and Russia.
Yulia, who operates a Pagan-themed online craft store, already noticed the effects of the Russian threat even before the tanks rolled in. “Because of the media situation prior to the invasion, I got fewer orders for the last couple of weeks.”
Early in the morning of the 24th, Yulia got a phone call from her mother, who told her that war had actually begun. Soldiering on through sheer panic, she prepared an emergency bag and waited for more information.
“It is very hard to imagine that war can happen to a peaceful country, but it is what it is,” she said. “Nothing was hitting my hometown, but we got a lot of messages about the capital, Kyiv, as well as all the other big cities in Ukraine.”
Shortly thereafter, Yulia heard the civil defense siren, signaling that danger was at hand. Still, nothing seemed to hit the city, but, around 2:30 AM, the siren sounded again.
“We ran to a bunker,” she said. “There were lots of shots from mortars and such around my place. At that moment you feel like, ‘Oh, this is a real war.’ But shortly thereafter, we got together with other family members in one apartment, just trying to relax and rest. The signal is a bit laggy, but we have water and electricity.”
In these times of war, there is little to no place for day-to-day activities, work, or leisure. Yulia’s store, where she sells items she embroiders with folkloric and Pagan motifs, alongside other handmade items from fellow local craftsmen, had to cease all of its activities due to the invasion.
“I packed the orders today [on Thursday the 24th],” she said, “but the Ukrainian post offices are not opened, as the Ukrainian airspace is closed.”
No one can know for sure exactly when Yulia will be able to restart her business, or even just send her latest orders, but she remains committed to honoring the last transactions she received: “As soon as the situation is fixed, I will send and finish all the orders. Right now, I just hope for the best.”
For the past couple of days, Yulia has been witnessing explosions on a regular basis and has shared pictures of the destruction her town has experienced on her Instagram, one of her principal channels of communication to the outside world.
When asked how her faith is playing a role in these trying times, Yulia expresses feelings of hope and thankfulness: “I don’t have much time for spirituality now, but I pray to all the gods as ever. I only have my personal Odin pendant and it gives me a sort of calmness and I believe it will help me. I am also highly appreciative of my followers who set up altars for a safe situation in Ukraine.”
Yulia, like many other Ukrainians, fears for what is to come, but yet, she remains defiant and keeps hope: “I wish no one to feel such a spectrum of emotions in a modern world, we need to stay calm, strong, and hope we can make it. I believe in the Ukrainian military and praying the gods to give us strength, and peace to our land.”
Meanwhile, at least 370,000 Ukrainians have been forced to flee west to neighboring countries as Russian tanks and missiles attacked the countryside.
TWH spoke to Iolanda, a polytheist vrăjitoare, or Witch, in the city of Constanța on the Black Sea in southeastern Romania. She said she was concerned, not only for the refugees, but also for her city and country.
“We are a NATO port and if there is war, we will be the front line,” she said. “We are very worried about Putin’s aggression. He is an unpredictable evil.”
Iolanda said that her uncle had tried to get some food and first aid supplies to refugees but that police halted him from getting too close to the border. Instead the police assisted and took the supplies to the border crossing.
“I hope the Russian people see [Putin] for who he is,” she said. “I hope to see him burn in his lies.”
Iolanda said that more refugees were coming through the northern border with Ukraine but that her family “has extra room and we are allowing anyone from Ukraine who needs to rest to stay with us.” She added that “many Ukrainians are arriving with their pets. We want the pets safe and free as well. They are also welcome.”
Selena Fox during a working for Ukraine [Courtesy]
The Wild Hunt has been following responses to the crisis from the Pagan community.
Late yesterday, Rev. Selena Fox issued a statement on behalf of Circle Sanctuary.
“We join with many others around the world in support of Ukraine, its people, its land, its government, its democracy, and its sovereign nation status,” the statement read. “We deplore, decry, and condemn the invasion of and war on Ukraine by Russia. We deplore, decry, and condemn the Russian regime’s violence, lies, and violations of the UN charter.”
“Blessings of protection, strength, resolve, resilience, wellbeing, and support to the Ukrainian people and their allies,” the statement continued. “Remembrance of those who have been killed. Healing to those injured. Care for the thousands displaced. Protection to caregivers, first responders, journalists, and others helping those impacted by this war. Support to American troops and those of other NATO nations who have been deployed to the region. Protection to those in Russia and elsewhere who are rising up and speaking out against this war, and healing to those who have been beaten and imprisoned for doing so. Wisdom to leaders, diplomats, and all working to restore peace and freedom to Ukraine and the region.
“May the war in Ukraine stop. May the Russian invaders depart. May Ukraine heal and renew. May the people and nations of the world work together for diplomatic and peaceful solutions to conflicts now and in times to come. So Be It.”
Damh the Bard, the Druid and musician, streamed a live house concert yesterday and promised to donate half of the evening’s tip jar to a humanitarian organization doing medical care in Ukraine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcrQdxVhCes
The Police Pagan Association UK called upon the Earth Mother Nerthus to protect Ukraine in a statement:
The Goddess Nerthus was rarely described, her only known ritual was attested by Tacitus as a procession where, upon seeing her, people would put aside their conflicts, lay down their arms, and embrace.
May Nerthus bless the people of Ukraine.
In Friđ and Friendship pic.twitter.com/WAIrYAkQi4
— Police Pagan UK (@PolicePagan) February 25, 2022
Cherry Hill Seminary released a statement late last week:
“While we take no position on political parties, campaigns or candidates, we will always stand against aggression and violence such as that we are witnessing in Ukraine this week,” said Executive Director, Holli Emore. “World leaders such as Russia should be leading with peace-building support rather than seeking territorial dominance. We ask our wider Pagan community to join us in supporting an immediate cease-fire and de-escalation.”
The violence against Ukraine violates the CHS values of honoring the sacredness of the earth (including other humans) and embracing diversity. Cherry Hill Seminary empowers spiritual leadership, scholarship, and ethics through theological and pastoral education to nurture interfaith engagement in a diverse society.
Many Pagans, Witches, and polytheists have also responded by posting sunflowers on social media after Ukraineworld shared a video on Twitter showing a Ukrainian woman confronting Russian soldiers. “You’re occupants, you’re fascists!” said the woman in the video. She then offered the soldiers sunflower seeds, saying, “Take these seeds and put them in your pockets, so at least sunflowers will grow when you all die here.”
Ukrainian woman confronts Russian soldiers in Henychesk, Kherson region. Asks them why they came to our land and urges to put sunflower seeds in their pockets [so that flowers would grow when they die on the Ukrainian land] pic.twitter.com/ztTx2qK7kB
— UkraineWorld (@ukraine_world) February 24, 2022
Some have heard her words as a curse echoing the power of Baba Yaga, a complex and powerful maternal spirit in Slavic folklore, and have invoked Baba Yaga’s spirit to protect Ukraine. Mat Auryn, the author of the best-selling Psychic Witch, described it as “some straight up Baba Yaga level cursing.”
Ukraine and Russia will meet at the Belarussian border for negotiations tomorrow, though it is worth noting that Russia has negotiated previous promises which it immediately violated.
For readers who may wish to help the Ukrainian people, below are some NGOs to consider. The following NGOs have all stated they are directly supporting Ukrainians.
- SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine – an organization committed to caring for orphans and vulnerable families.
- Ukrainian Red Cross provides emergency care for people regardless of nationality or status.
- Come Back Alive Foundation is an association committed to supporting the Ukrainian soldiers, mostly through medical and logistical purchases
- Nova Ukraine is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to raising awareness about Ukraine in the US and throughout the world and providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Editor’s notes: TWH will be following events in Ukraine and updating our readers as the conflict progresses. If you are a reader in Ukraine or have connections to the country and would like to speak with TWH about your experiences, please send us a message to ukraine@wildhunt.org.
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