Reykjavík Grapevine - Apr 2022, Page 8

Those Who Left And
Those Who Stayed
Ukrainians in
Iceland, and
an Icelander in
Ukraine, on the
past, present and
future of war
On the morning of February 24th, the world
woke to the news that after weeks of sabre
rattling, Russia had invaded Ukraine. Since
then, some four million people have fled the
country, while others have opted to stay—to
fight, to volunteer assistance, or to document
the war. We spoke to three of the Ukrainian
women who reluctantly fled their country
for safety in Iceland, as well as an Icelandic
photographer who chose to stay in Kyiv, about
what this war has meant for them, and where
it could lead.
Photo: Óskar Hallgrímsson