One Year of Resistance: Reflection of Our Ex-Student on the War

February 24 marked the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Our ex-school leaver Kyryl Myronenko, who finished First City Gymnasia in 2021, was among the students who represent Ukraine. So far he is studying at School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University. As Dean Joel Hellman stated, exactly one year ago, a town hall was hosted in the ICC Galleria recognizing the start of the war. SFS gathered again as a community in the Galleria to acknowledge the resilience of the Ukrainian people and reflect on the past year of the conflict. SFS’ Ukrainian students — among them, Kyryl Myronenko (SFS'26), Iryna Tiasko (SFS'23), Iryna Adam (SSP'26), Ruslana Kochmar (MSFS'23) and Juliana Kogan (MASIA'23) — shared reflections on the personal impact of the war, how Ukraine’s struggle would be remembered in history and their hopes for a resolution. Georgetown’s Chamber Singers gave their rendition of Bozhe Velykyi (Prayer for Ukraine) before Deacon Peter Mansour closed the event with a prayer.

The Mortara Center for International Studies, in partnership with the Security Studies Program, also acknowledged the anniversary by bringing together academic experts to speak on the future of Ukraine. SFS Professors Elizabeth Saunders, Sara Bjerg Moller, Pauliina Patana, Angela Stent and Caitlin Talmadge were among those featured on today’s panel.