Olha Kurtmallaieva's life has been marked by the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia since her husband was taken prisoner. As the country approaches the third anniversary of the invasion, she works tirelessly to campaign for prisoners of war while dealing with her own health issues, including cancer. Despite the pain and uncertainty of her husband's fate and the shifting geopolitical landscape, Kurtmallaieva's determination to carry on and advocate for her husband reflects the larger struggle faced by many Ukrainians during this prolonged conflict.
I can sit down now, start crying and say that this has been very hard and very painful, but I understand that I did not have another choice.
In some ways, Ms. Kurtmallaieva's story is the story of this war: an invader, a fight, a loss, a stalemate, a life in limbo.
Even though she is in remission from a rare cancer, she worries that time may be running out for her, perhaps, and possibly for Ukraine.
Ukrainians like Ms. Kurtmallaieva... face this anniversary knowing that the United States, once Ukraine's fiercest ally, might be pivoting toward Russia.
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