Atlanta's Ukrainian community closely watching Russian invasion

tetiana lendiel
Tetiana Lendiel is a lawyer and member of the Ukrainian community in Atlanta. She spoke about what people she knows are going through amidst the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo courtesy of Tetiana Lendiel)

As Russia’s war in Ukraine drags into its second week, Ukrainian immigrants living in the United States are watching on in agony, horror and fear.

Russian forces have occupied a large nuclear plant in Ukraine after dropping shells in the area, sparking international condemnation.

“Them targeting these places is just a crime against humanity, because it’s not only Ukraine that will carry the damage,” said Tetiana Lendiel an immigration lawyer in Atlanta who moved from Ukraine in 2012. “It’s radiation, you cannot contain it over one place.”

Lendiel is one of the people on edge as relatives and friends back home seek shelter, take up arms or try to flee the country.

She joined “Morning Edition” live, hours after the Russian invasion began, and more than a week later her position on the invasion remains the same; she calls the attacks unprovoked and brutal, and says the consequences have been devastating.

Below are some links to learn more and contribute to humanitarian relief efforts:

ukrainianatlanta.org/aboutus

atlantaforukraine.com