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(Video Credit: KOAA 5 News)
Ivan Kozlov, a 16-year-old Ukrainian exchange student who is attending Pueblo West High School in Colorado, is voicing pride in his country as well as concern for his family who are still in the war-torn nation with his father fighting the Russians.
Kozlov has been in the United States since August on a year-long exchange. His family lives in Brovary, Ukraine. He left behind his parents and his 10-year-old sister unaware that war was closing in.
According to an interview with Fox News, Kozlov speaks with his mom at every opportunity and texts her every day to check on his family despite a nine-hour time difference.
“The first thought in my head was – How is my family doing? Like is my city OK? Are they safe?” Kozlov told KOAA 5 News.
This is the hometown of Ivan Kozlov, a foreign exchange student at Pueblo West. His family is still there. Ivan has raised nearly 9K to help Ukraine with aid. You can donate through today at Pueblo West HS. https://t.co/chMMaJpLtj
— Josh Helmuth KRDO13 (@Jhelmuth) March 10, 2022
His father volunteered to fight with his fellow Ukrainians against the Russians. Because of security concerns, he can’t tell his family where he is but he texts them when he can to let them know he is okay.
The boy’s mom and sister are “relatively” safe. “As much as they can be right now,” he commented.
“What I’m hearing is that they are really optimistic about what’s going on … We believe that we will win the war,” Kozlov remarked to Fox News.
“And they think that it’s really important to focus on that right now,” he said.
“Everybody is focusing on all the negativity that is going on there,” Koslov continued. “And of course, it’s true. War is not pretty. But keeping optimistic and following the news about Ukrainian military achievements really helps.”
To stay abreast of what is happening on the ground, the exchange student constantly checks Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense Facebook page, the Facebook page of the Office of the President of Ukraine, as well as a number of other official sources.
“What I’m seeing is that they are really doing a good job,” he optimistically stated.
“Even though — I mean, we are fighting the second-largest army in the world. So it would be weird if it would be easy. It’s not easy. People are dying. But Ukrainians are doing really well in terms of defending” the country, he contended. “Ukrainians are putting up a really good fight.”
Ethan Hall is Kozlov’s host dad. He told Fox News that the boy was “distraught” when the invasion occurred. Since that time they have discussed the situation candidly.
“He is a very resilient young man,” Hall claimed. “He shows some very admirable leadership qualities.”
“I’m proud of him, seeing what he’s doing,” he said. “But I feel like I am just the last little guidance for him.” His parents, asserted Hall, “have molded him into a very, very outstanding young man.”
Kozlov’s mom and sister are busy making military nets for the cause and are cooking food for those who have lost their homes.
“They are trying to help the Ukrainian army as much as they can,” the boy remarked. “And they are not alone. So many people are defending their streets and they are succeeding.”
Koslov raised almost $9,000 in a bake sale fundraiser at his high school that will go to the Ukrainian Red Cross and other groups helping out.
A lot of work has been done during this week. Together with our partners, URCS intend to continue in the same spirit and do more to help those who need our help the most. https://t.co/7OhYgzc3O7
— Ukrainian Red Cross (@RedCrossUkraine) March 2, 2022
Razom, together with about 20 orgs, has created a trusted corridor from the US to Ukraine for the delivery of life-saving supplies. The channel connects 2 warehouses in Poland and Ukraine, from which supplies can then be delivered further.
Read more: https://t.co/8pLtRxrysE pic.twitter.com/1L0k8IbTya
— Razom for Ukraine 🇺🇸🤝🇺🇦 (@razomforukraine) February 27, 2022
“Ukraine really, really requires NATO to close the airspace over Ukraine,” he advocated. “It’s crucial for the safety of civilian people in Ukraine because Russia has been shelling not only military bases, they have been attacking civilian people.”
“Children are dying,” Koslov reported. “It’s not only about military anymore. Regular people are suffering, too. And this is one of the steps that our international allies, that NATO, can take to help Ukraine to stop the war.”
He is urging Americans to give to the Red Cross, UNICEF, and the Ukrainian army.
“All of those organizations are really making a difference in Ukraine,” Kozlov explained. “And if Americans could support them, they could contribute to the effort. That’s extremely important and it’s extremely needed.”
“It’s not something that I would think would happen to my country, but it’s not really about me or my family,” the boy said pointing out the invasion was a shock. “Because it involves all the Ukrainians and Ukrainians are heroic people.”
“I’m proud to be Ukrainian,” he adamantly claimed. “I’m proud of my nation and I’m proud of [the] Ukrainian people. We’re doing everything we can to stop the war.”
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