Tuesday, 3 Jun 2025
America Age
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Font ResizerAa
America AgeAmerica Age
Search
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
America Age > Blog > World > Ukrainians in RI fear ‘threat of oblivion’ and denounce Putin’s propaganda
World

Ukrainians in RI fear ‘threat of oblivion’ and denounce Putin’s propaganda

Enspirers | Editorial Board
Share
Ukrainians in RI fear ‘threat of oblivion’ and denounce Putin’s propaganda
SHARE

Artem Agvanian is an 18-year-old college freshman who grew up in a section of eastern Ukraine that Russian President Vladimir Putin claims is separate from the rest of Ukraine.

His mother’s side of the family has Russian roots. When he visited there last summer, he and his parents chose to speak to each other in the Russian language.

In contrast, Viktor Meleta is a 41-year-old Cranston resident who works with robot technology in Massachusetts. He and his family came to the United States as refugees a few years ago, leaving a city in western Ukraine where their chosen language was Ukrainian.

Their heritage and languages are different, but the two Ukrainian natives now living in Rhode Island are in agreement about one thing.

Live updates: Russia intends to replace Ukraine government, US official says

They both side with Ukraine and reject Putin’s claims.

By Wednesday, they told The Providence Journal, Russia’s president had already violated the sovereignty of their native land. Don’t be fooled by false reports of genocide in eastern Ukraine or by other misinformation that exaggerates the significance of cultural differences between some Ukrainians, they said.

A “message of ethnic conflict … has been persistently conveyed by Russian propaganda,” Agvanian said.

“It’s a purely media notion that has been created … to give a pretext for an invasion,” said the student, who hails from Mariupol, a key port in the eastern region of Donetsk.

As of late Thursday, his hometown on the coast was not inside the enclave held by separatists.

Viktor Meleta, 41, of Cranston, left, and 18-year-old Brown University student Artem Agvanian, are native Ukrainians closely watching developments in their homeland.Viktor Meleta, 41, of Cranston, left, and 18-year-old Brown University student Artem Agvanian, are native Ukrainians closely watching developments in their homeland.

Viktor Meleta, 41, of Cranston, left, and 18-year-old Brown University student Artem Agvanian, are native Ukrainians closely watching developments in their homeland.

What we know: Why is Russia invading Ukraine? Could it be the start of WWIII?

On the ground: Will US help Ukraine in war vs. Russia? American troops bolster NATO in Europe

But Putin had declared the entire Donetsk region to be independent from Ukraine and subject to troop movements.

Lots of talk about protecting Russian-speaking Ukrainians from other Ukrainians accompanied Putin’s manipulations in a prelude to the full-scale invasion he launched Wednesday night.

“My family is Russian-speaking,” Agvanian said. “… We never had any problems using Russian in our daily language. We haven’t been persecuted, or even offended, in any case.”

Agvanian’s mother has cultural ties to Russia and his father to Armenia, but his parents identify as Ukrainian, he said.

Meleta and Agvanian had not crossed paths previously, but they agreed to meet up on the Brown University campus Wednesday and share some thoughts as Putin kept the world on edge.

Both say they want to do whatever they can to keep Ukraine’s crisis from being ignored — a specter that Agvanian refers to as a “threat of oblivion.”

‘His defining mistake’: US lawmakers attack Vladimir Putin over Ukraine invasion, Republicans call for tougher sanctions

“It’s important for people to see perspectives of people like me, like Viktor,” he said. “That’s important because it keeps the information flowing. … It ensures that we’re not going to be forgotten.”

Meleta and his wife came to Rhode Island with their two sons and her parents in 2018, joining relatives.

Meleta says they made the pilgrimage as refugees seeking religious freedom. They are Baptists.

Meleta said he had been so disturbed by the prospect of a Russian invasion lately that he hadn’t talked about the issue much. His parents and his brothers remain in Ukraine.

‘The world will hold Russia accountable’: Leaders react to ‘horrific events’ in Ukraine

He likened Putin’s assertions about Ukrainian territory to the childish claims of a bully trying to take someone else’s toy in a classroom.

In this case, it’s not clear whether any teacher can come to the rescue.

“It’s very complicated in our world,” said Meleta, who says Ukrainians, not Americans, must do the work of defending Ukraine.

He said he wishes Ukraine had been more successful at acquiring weapons it needs, including an effective air-defense system.

When the subject came up, Meleta also said he thinks it’s appropriate for Agvanian to stay in the United States if a full-blown war breaks out.

What to know: Where is Ukraine? Where are NATO members? A guide to post-Soviet Eastern Europe

Agvanian said he has not been called yet. Prior to Russia’s latest attacks, he was reassured by the presence of Ukrainian troops in the region where he grew up.

“I guess there are many ways to maximize your utility for your homeland,” said the Brown student. “I can do my best by staying here and highlighting the situation and describing it.”

Ukraine’s “final aim,” he adds, is “not full-fledged war but peace.”

“Peace can be achieved,” he said, “both militarily and through means of diplomacy.”

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: What was life like in Donetsk? Ukrainians denounce Putin’s propaganda

Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article EU to freeze Putin and Lavrov’s assets EU to freeze Putin and Lavrov’s assets
Next Article Tens of thousands flee Ukraine after Russian invasion Tens of thousands flee Ukraine after Russian invasion

Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!

Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
LinkedInFollow
MediumFollow
QuoraFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad image

Popular Posts

Italy to Test Travelers From China for Covid, Wants EU to Do Same

(Bloomberg) -- Italy will begin testing all arrivals from China for Covid, and wants European…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Prime Day 2024 Apple Watch offers: A ton of watches hit record-low costs in a single day

UPDATE: Jul. 16, 2024, 12:15 a.m. EDT This text has been up to date with…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

‘We don’t have food’: African leaders meet as crises grow

DJIBO, Burkina Faso (AP) — African leaders gathered for a summit Friday in Malabo, Equatorial…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Mike Tyson Will get $250K Provide From Porn Website After Naked Ass Shot Goes Viral

Mike Tyson scored a boatload of money for his battle in opposition to Jake Paul,…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

You Might Also Like

Ukraine warfare stay: Zelenskyy requires sanctions after ‘savage’ Russian assault on Sumy kills three folks
World

Ukraine warfare stay: Zelenskyy requires sanctions after ‘savage’ Russian assault on Sumy kills three folks

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
‘They didn’t deserve it’: emotional Erin Patterson tells homicide trial of disgrace over messages about household
World

‘They didn’t deserve it’: emotional Erin Patterson tells homicide trial of disgrace over messages about household

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Australia information reside: teal’s lead jumps to greater than 20 in battle for Bradfield; Tanya Plibersek ‘delighted’ by Dorinda Cox defection to Labor
World

Australia information reside: teal’s lead jumps to greater than 20 in battle for Bradfield; Tanya Plibersek ‘delighted’ by Dorinda Cox defection to Labor

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Israeli strikes on Gaza colleges used as civilian shelters a part of deliberate technique, say sources
World

Israeli strikes on Gaza colleges used as civilian shelters a part of deliberate technique, say sources

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
America Age
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


America Age: Your instant connection to breaking stories and live updates. Stay informed with our real-time coverage across politics, tech, entertainment, and more. Your reliable source for 24/7 news.

Company
  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement
Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?