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Ukrainians in Charlotte concerned for family living through Russian invasion

CHARLOTTE — A Charlotte family says they are consumed by worry as they watch their native Ukraine, and the family members that still live there, go through the terrors of war.

Nick and Olga Nikolayenko left their lives in Kyiv and moved to Charlotte with their two children four years ago. Nick works in IT, Olga owns the Livilove floral shop in Fort Mill.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, they said it feels like they might as well be there.

The family said they hardly sleep. Instead, they try to speak with family and friends through the night and get constant updates through the Telegram app.

“I’m here, but I just feel I’m there with them in the shelters,” Olga said. “I’m just, all my mind is about them, and I’m trying to be connected as much as I can.”

The situation is dire, according to the Nikolayenkos.

“Putin gives the orders to start shelling at night, that’s how bad it is,” Nick said. “People are finding shelters in the subway stations, basements, everywhere they can.”

Included in the shelter scramble is Olga’s mother, a humanitarian worker. They had hoped to get her to the U.S., but instead, Olga’s mom chose to stay in Kyiv with Olga’s father.

The two are staying in hiding. They say the highways are blocked and unsafe, so leaving is not an option anymore.

“She decided to stay in the city essentially hiding in the cellar,” Nick said. “The deeper your cellar is, the safer you are.”

The family says they feel helpless. They haven’t seen some family members in years, now, they just hope they’ll get that chance again.

While there isn’t much that can be done from the U.S., they are pleading with people here to take whatever little action can be taken.

“There are tools on the table we can leverage to stop Putin and that needs to be done,” Nick said. “This is real, it’s going on. Please pray for Ukraine. Escalate as much as you can. Be vocal. Let your congressmen know that you want their support and their escalation.”

In the meantime, the Nikolayenko family will watch and hope.

“I guess we are waiting for a miracle,” Nick said. “That something will happen. That the tables will turn, the war will stop, people will stop dying and there will be a long, long walk back to normal.”

A rally in support of Ukraine will be held Saturday, February 26 at 4p in Romare Bearden Park.

(WATCH BELOW: Local residents with family members in Ukraine hold onto hope as Russia invades country)