From: New Voice of Ukraine by Ulyana Kulikova
The war has forced millions of Ukrainians to abandon their homes, tearing them from their familiar lives and casting them into complete uncertainty. How can people preserve their sense of self today, and find new sources of strength when the past is shattered and the future unknown?
Author, Interviewer: Ulyana Kulikova
To explore this, we spoke with well-known Ukrainian psychologist, PhD in philosophy, television expert, and author of numerous trainings and books, Natalia Kholodenko, who herself is now living in exile. Known as the “Oprah of Ukraine,” she now leads mental-health initiatives for displaced Ukrainians, offering hope, strength, and practical guidance amid Russian invasion. In this candid conversation, she reflects on her experience during the first days of the invasion, how maternal instinct helped her endure terror, and the profound changes in her worldview. Natalia also shares insights into what people truly seek after experiencing trauma, and why confidence in the future is often the most powerful form of healing.
Q: Natalia, let’s begin from the start. Where were you in the first days of the invasion, and what did you feel? What was the hardest part about leaving your home?
I was in Kyiv when the invasion began, and we fled as refugees—spontaneously, without preparation. Leaving with small children was extremely difficult. It was terrifying: people were panicked, no one had fuel to drive out, there were accidents on the roads, and at the border we had to abandon our car and walk. Around 10,000 to 15,000 people were there—families with children, people with disabilities, even pets. We were stuck for 24 hours outside with children in our arms. My younger daughter was not yet three years old at the time.
Voice of Ukraine 