‘It’s heartbreaking:’ Jacksonville family prays for family and friends’ safety in Ukraine

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.

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 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)

©2022 Cox Media Group