Adolescence under any conditions is traditionally a time of exploration and self-discovery. Sixteen-year-olds Daryna Rud from Ukraine and Emma Roberts from the UK reveal what they have in common, despite incomparably different experiences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: a sincere interest in their peers and in the world they share.
For this issue on Wartime Childhood, the London Ukrainian Review has offered a platform for young adults to voice their views about the world in which they are growing up. We invited two young women, Daryna Rud and Emma Roberts, to have a conversation via email. After introducing themselves and sharing how they experienced the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the girls’ exchange took its own course. The conversation has been lightly edited while preserving each writer’s style.
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Dear Emma,
I’m glad to have a conversation with you! Let me introduce myself to you 😉
I live in Bucha — a quiet and comfortable city near Kyiv. It has a picturesque park, where I like to hang out with my family and friends. I study in 10th grade and next year I will graduate from school. My favourite subjects are English, Civic Education, Literature, and the History of Ukraine. Besides school, I have many other interests and hobbies. Since March 2024, I’ve been participating in different volunteering initiatives, and educational and leadership programmes.
Moreover, I can’t imagine my life without art. I’m keen on attending theatre performances and gallery exhibitions. Creating my own pieces of art, like collages, drawings, and poems, is a hobby that gives me a lot of pleasure.
However, I haven’t always been so enthusiastic and active. There was an event that almost broke me. And that event is war. On 24 February 2022, I woke up at 6 am from the explosions, and then my dad told me that the war had begun. My family and I lived under russian occupation for two weeks without electricity, gas, or a mobile network. We had been sleeping in the basement to somehow protect ourselves. We heard bombings every minute, everything felt so unreal and endless.
On 10 March, russian soldiers came to our neighbours and told us that we all must get out of there. We had no choice, so we were forced to leave our home, even though there was a possibility that other russian soldiers could kill us on the road. Fortunately, we managed to escape from the occupation, and no one in my family was hurt. Then we stayed in Kyiv for two weeks and moved to Khmelnytskyi, a city in the western part of Ukraine.
After all those events, my life has changed significantly, and I couldn’t cope with the trauma by myself. That’s why I began having sessions with a psychologist, which helped me a lot and made me stronger.
Currently, my days look pretty routine and calm. In the morning, I wake up and go to school. After school, I go to the gym to keep fit, and then I have extra English lessons. On weekends, I usually spend time with family and friends. On Saturday, my parents and I go grocery shopping, cook and clean, and on Sunday I go out with my friends — we drink coffee or attend some events like concerts or exhibitions.
Thank you for reading my story. I’m looking forward to your reply!
Best regards,
Daryna
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Hi Daryna,
Thank you for your letter!
My favourite subject in school is either Maths or History. I play the piano, ukulele, and the violin (although I don’t play that one as much). I’m also in a band, and take part in my school’s Model United Nations debates, which are very fun. I live in London with my family, including an older sister. I think the most interesting thing about me is that I can play four instruments, and know basically all the lyrics to Hamilton.
I learnt of the full-scale invasion in an assembly that my headmistress organised when I was in Year Eight (three years ago). I also remember the news headlines at the time, and the newspaper stands, detailing the invasion and its effects. My life after that became particularly more politically active, as I began reading the news about Ukraine, as I have friends here who are from Eastern Europe and knew people involved. I also remember the huge queues at petrol stations after the price of petrol went up, with lines stretching about 50 cars back.
A typical day for me usually starts around 7.30 am (when I should be leaving for school, but I usually wake up late because I am not a morning person). [Emma’s day is filled with lessons, philosophy or debate club, homework, dancing or piano class, family dinner. — Ed.]. After that, I usually unwind with a book (I’m currently reading Maurice by E M Forster), play some piano, or watch something on my phone. I usually go to sleep around 10 pm every night, and later on the weekends when I don’t have to wake up early!
Emma
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Dear Emma,
I really admire people who can play musical instruments! How long have you been learning to play the piano, ukulele, and violin? Did you learn to play them by attending classes or by yourself?
I became more politically active after the full-scale invasion had started. I understood that we, young people, are the future of the country and the world in general, so I immersed myself in non-formal education projects to develop outside school.
Also, I know the story Maurice, I have watched the film!! I think it’s a really beautiful movie, even though it’s sad 🙁 I have just started reading a book called Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg. My friend from Youth Council recommended it to me. For me, this story is warm and explores important social themes of family, ageing, racism, and homophobia. I can also recommend a film that I watched a few days ago — Isle of Dogs by Wes Anderson. A very touching and deep story.
By the way, what are your favourite books/movies? Maybe you can recommend some of your favourite ones?
Daryna
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Dear Daryna,
I loved reading your letter!
I’ve been learning the piano and violin since I was about 4 years old with teachers, and I taught myself the ukulele a few years ago because I was bored one day and decided it would be a fun instrument to learn! I’ve always found music to be a really good way of processing emotions, whether it’s listening or playing music, especially nowadays.
I completely agree that we, as young people, are the future of our countries, and we must become more politically active in our communities. I haven’t had the opportunity to take part in many political projects outside of school recently, but there has been an influx of marches and protests in the last few years. Many of them are in support of Ukraine after the war started, encouraging everyone to donate and help in any way possible. It has been amazing to see groups come together to support people. My school also partakes in many initiatives to ensure the pupils are politically active and aware (especially since we are an all-girls school, and now more than ever, being politically active as a young girl and woman is important).
I’ve only seen Wes Anderson’s more child-friendly movies (Sing, Fantastic Mr Fox), but I love the sound of Isle of Dogs, and will definitely watch it! One of my favourite movies is Catch Me If You Can by Stephen Spielberg, and my favourite book is Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, which I really recommend if you are a fan of murder mysteries and classical literature.
Who is your favourite artist/artist that inspires you the most?
What made you want to learn English?
Do you think people in other countries, such as England, know enough about what is happening in Ukraine?
Emma
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Hi, Emma!
If you are asking me about my favourite music artist, I don’t have only one. I like to listen to a lot of different music and my favourite singers are Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey, Chappell Roan, Taylor Swift, Mitski, The Smiths, Amy Winehouse, and David Bowie. The last one inspires me the most, his music is very innovative, as for that time, because he was able to combine several genres and fill his songs with deep meaning.
I have been learning English since elementary school and my parents have always been telling me that speaking English is very important and it opens up a lot of opportunities, such as travelling and work. When I was younger, I was learning English just because I needed to, but in 2023, I started learning very intensively. I have had a lot of conversational practice, put in a lot of effort, so now I have a B2 level.
I think the level of awareness about Ukraine in other countries like England varies, but generally, people in the West obviously heard about it from the news, Ukrainian delegations, activist organisations and even from their friends and relatives from Ukraine. Some people care a lot about the conflict that russia started 11 years ago, when they occupied Crimea. Other people just know that it is happening somewhere in Ukraine. That’s why it is important to make youth exchanges between Ukraine and other countries, to let people know that the war is still ongoing and that russia is a terrorist state.
Best regards,
Daryna
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Hi Daryna!
I also absolutely love David Bowie — I especially love the song ‘Under Pressure’ he did with Queen. My favourite artists are probably Billy Joel, Chappell Roan, and I also listen to a lot of musicals. I would recommend listening to Conan Gray, as he is very similar to the other artists you like, and has more of a 70s influence to his music!
I absolutely think having a second language is really important for culture and travelling, and work opportunities. Unfortunately, I don’t know any other languages, but most of my friends do, and they find it really helpful. For many at my school, English isn’t their first language. I’m currently learning Spanish at school for my exams. I wouldn’t say it’s my favourite subject, but I recognise that it is really helpful and beneficial to be bilingual.
Over the last few years, I have definitely noticed (even in just my school) that the awareness of Ukraine has remained prominent, but has been discussed slightly less frequently. In debates, we often reference the invasion and war, but I think our lessons and our education could centre around it more. For instance, in 2022, there was a huge public support for Ukrainian people living in England, so a lot of Ukrainian celebrities were supported whilst a lot of Russian celebrities on the same shows were condemned, and some were even fired! I’m not sure if that was the right response, but it was very heartwarming to see so many people united and attempting to make lasting change to the situation. I also saw many marches and online campaigns after the full-scale invasion near the Ukrainian Embassy in London, which I think were necessary and very poignant, especially more recently, after the news has stopped showing as much about Ukraine.
Kind regards,
Emma
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Dear Emma,
Last week I was completely immersed in cramming for my exams. I’m applying for the programme Ukrainian Global Scholars, which gives the opportunity to the finalists to study in boarding schools and universities of the US and Europe. The second round of selection contained a Duolingo English test and a maths test, for which I was preparing in my free time, and I passed it on Monday. That is why I couldn’t reply to your letter earlier, I’m sorry!
Wow, your passion for music is something fantastic! One summer day a couple of years ago, I got an irrational desire to buy a ukulele and learn how to play it. However, I have learnt only a few simple melodies — one of them was an opening to Harry Potter 😉
It’s really a pleasure to hear that people abroad actively support Ukraine by organising marches and raising money through donations! Every Sunday in Kyiv, people gather to support the soldiers and defenders of Azovstal, who are now in russian captivity. Azovstal is a factory in the eastern part of Ukraine in the city Mariupol, which was damaged and occupied by russia.
I really like the idea of an all-girls school! Can you tell me more about that? How common is this in your country? In Ukraine girls and boys attend schools together, so for me it is very interesting to know how it works in your country!
Best regards,
Daryna
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Dear Daryna,
Unisex schools are quite common in England, but co-education is more common. My school is one of only 7 all-girls religious schools left in the country, which is a big source of pride for them! I went to a primary school with both boys and girls, so secondary school was quite a shift, but I really love my school, and most of the girls in my year are really nice.
Congratulations on passing your exam! I hope you have an amazing time wherever you end up going.
I’ve loved chatting with you, and hope we can continue!
Warm regards,
Emma
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As Daryna and Emma continue their correspondence independently, we at the London Ukrainian Review wish both girls a successful end to this school year and new opportunities for connecting with their peers around the world. We are grateful for the chance to meet these bright, inspiring young women, and to share their stories and insights with our audience.
Special thanks to Olya Rusina, Voices of Children Charitable Foundation, for consulting on the ethics and practice of interviewing young adults for the publication.
Daryna Rud (Bucha, Ukraine) is in Year Ten. Outside school, she has participated in educational projects for young people, including Young Diversity Ambassadors, Nobel Navigators, and an Erasmus+ exchange. Daryna is a member of the Youth Council at Mystetskyi Arsenal, Ukraine’s flagship cultural institution, and has volunteered at Ukrainian art and film festivals. In 2024, she took part in an exhibition of artwork by teenagers at the Khanenko Museum in Kyiv. In 2025, she participated in an internship program with the Bucha City Council. Daryna loves travelling, learning new things, and staying fit through pilates and stretching.
Emma Roberts (London, UK) is in Year Eleven at school. She participates in the philosophy and debate clubs, along with other extracurricular activities. As a member of her school’s Model United Nations, she has taken part in debates on hypothetical policies that link to real-world issues and has attended conferences in the UK and abroad. Emma also studies ballet, tap, and modern dance; on weekends, she volunteers as a dance teacher for children. She plays a few musical instruments, including the piano, which she has been learning for eleven years.
Image: Stanislav Turina, Drawing (special for the London Ukrainian Review), 2025
