With family members serving in Russian-Ukraine war, Brookfield woman remembers conflict's start on 3-year anniversary

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It's been three years since Russia first invaded Ukraine. Since the start of the war, tens of thousands of people have been killed, and millions of people have been displaced. 

For Viktoriya Sabchyshyn, it's been difficult to watch the war unfold from across the world. She's from Ukraine and moved to America in 2003. She currently lives in Brookfield with her husband and three children. 

Sabchyshyn remembers the night when Russian drones and missiles hit Kyiv. 

“It was very scary, neither me or my husband could fall asleep that night, basically reading the news and trying to catch up on any single little detail that would give us a little bit of understanding of what’s happening," Sabchyshyn said. 

Over the course of the past three years, Sabchyshyn's friends and cousins have been fighting for Ukraine. 

“I do have multiple family members who’ve served in direct combat and are still serving in the army," Sabchyshyn said. "Some have been wounded and recovered.”

Sabchyshyn has taken in a family from Ukraine and helped them immigrate to America. She said it was her way of trying to help her loved ones experiencing the violence and horror of war. 

“This way I could make some peace with myself about maybe trying to help at least somebody and make them feel a bit better.” Sabchyshyn said. “You feel desperate for not being able to help.”

On Sunday, Feb. 23 Wisconsin Ukrainians held a rally aiming to stand in solidarity with Ukraine. Sabchyshyn attended the rally. As she shares her experience, she wants the people of her home country to eventually experience the unity she strives to feel herself. 

“Ukraine deserves a better fate than being broken up or being manipulated," Sabchyshyn said.