JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — It’s been an unnerving day for the Brudeina family.
They’re not only busy watching their store Romashka Euro Deli and Bakery, they’re also busy checking in with friends and family back in Ukraine as Russia declares war and moves in.
Vitalina Brudeina said it’s heartbreaking.
Her parents own Romashka.
They call Jacksonville home today, but just five years ago, Ukraine was home, and it still is to the rest of their family and friends.
“I don’t know how to explain what they feel because it’s hard to believe,” Brudeina said.
It’s also hard to put into words for her.
“It’s scary. That’s the only thing they said. That we’re so scared and we don’t know what to do, what to expect and where to go. You don’t even know what to say in those situations,” Brudeina said.
She said her family hasn’t been back to Ukraine in five years, but now they’re really not sure when they can go back to visit.
“Every single day you think I’m going to go to Ukraine soon but this time you don’t even know when you’re going to go there again,” Brudeina said.
Ukraine recently closed its airspace to civilians, leaving some stranded, like Brudeina’s cousin.
“My cousin went on vacation and now she’s planning on coming back to Ukraine but she can’t even fly there,” Brudeina said.
During a fluid situation with a bunch of unknowns, Brudeina is proud to say she knows Ukraine will pull through.
“Ukraine is a strong country, and I’m very proud of Ukraine. I’m proud to be Ukrainian. and I believe everything is going to be good,” Brudeina said.
The family is from central Ukraine in between Kyiv and Odesa.
0 of 17
Photos: Russia attacks Ukraine as defiant Putin warns US, NATO A woman and child peer out of the window of a bus as they leave Sievierodonetsk, the Luhansk region, in eastern Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Russia-Ukraine crisis A woman reacts as she waits for a train trying to leave Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Russian troops have launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine. Big explosions were heard before dawn in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa as world leaders decried the start of an Russian invasion that could cause massive casualties and topple Ukraine's democratically elected government. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Russia-Ukraine crisis Damaged radar, a vehicle and equipment are seen at a Ukrainian military facility outside Mariupol, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Russia has launched a barrage of air and missile strikes on Ukraine early Thursday and Ukrainian officials said that Russian troops have rolled into the country from the north, east and south. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
Russia-Ukraine crisis Smoke rise from an air defence base in the aftermath of an apparent Russian strike in Mariupol, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Russian troops have launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine. Big explosions were heard before dawn in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa as world leaders decried the start of Russian invasion that could cause massive casualties and topple Ukraine's democratically elected government. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
Russia-Ukraine crisis People walk in a subway to get a train as they leave the city of Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to "consequences you have never seen." (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Russia-Ukraine crisis Damaged radar, a vehicle and equipment are seen at a Ukrainian military facility outside Mariupol, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Russia has launched a barrage of air and missile strikes on Ukraine early Thursday and Ukrainian officials said that Russian troops have rolled into the country from the north, east and south. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
Russia-Ukraine crisis A woman with her daughter waits for a train as they try to leave at the Kyiv train station, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Russian troops have launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine. Big explosions were heard before dawn in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa as world leaders decried the start of an Russian invasion that could cause massive casualties and topple Ukraine's democratically elected government. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Russia-Ukraine crisis Local residents wait to buy water at a store during a water outage in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Russian troops have launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine. Big explosions were heard before dawn in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa as world leaders decried the start of an Russian invasion that could cause massive casualties and topple Ukraine's democratically elected government. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Russia-Ukraine crisis Airspace over Ukraine & it's border with Russia Thursday morning.
Russia-Ukraine crisis Ukrainian military track burns at an air defence base in the aftermath of an apparent Russian strike in Mariupol, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. Russian troops have launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine. Big explosions were heard before dawn in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa as world leaders decried the start of Russian invasion that could cause massive casualties and topple Ukraine's democratically elected government. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
Russia-Ukraine crisis credit: Getty Images
Photos: Russia attacks Ukraine as defiant Putin warns US, NATO Inhabitants of Kyiv leave the city following pre-offensive missile strikes of the Russian armed forces and Belarus on February 24, 2022, in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Pierre Crom/Getty Images)
Photos: Russia attacks Ukraine as defiant Putin warns US, NATO Damaged radar arrays and other equipment is seen at Ukrainian military facility outside Mariupol, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
