CCSS

R.1, R.2, R.3, R.4, R.7, W.3, SL.1, L.4, L.6

“I Left My Life Behind”

This past winter, the Eastern European country of Ukraine was attacked by Russia. Millions of people were forced to escape their homes. Maksym Kosar, 17, is one of them.

September 2022

by Mary Kate Frank

Editor’s Note: This issue went to press in June. Any updates on the war in Ukraine will be added to this story.

Maksym Kosar, 17, stuffed his backpack. He packed books, his laptop, his cell phone, bottled water, and snacks.

But Maksym—Maks for short—wasn’t headed to class. He had packed to flee his home in Ukraine.

Earlier that day, Russia had invaded Ukraine. Tens of thousands of people were rushing to escape to safety in other countries.

As he watched the news of the war, Maks knew he would have to leave. His parents made a plan. Maks would go to live with his mom, who lives in New York City. His dad would stay in Ukraine to protect their home.On the day Maks left, Russia attacked an airfield in his city. Thick clouds of gray smoke filled the air. It was time to go. Maks grabbed his backpack and a small suitcase.

His father drove him to Ukraine’s border with Poland. The trip took hours. Finally, Maks and his dad said goodbye. Maks would make the rest of the journey alone.

Maksym Kosar, 17, packed his backpack. He put his books, laptop, and cell phone in it. He also packed bottled water and snacks.

But Maksym (Maks for short) wasn’t off to class. He had packed to flee Ukraine.

Earlier that day, Russia had invaded Ukraine. Tens of thousands of people were rushing to safety in other countries.

Maks knew he would have to leave his home too. His parents made a plan. Maks would go to New York City. His mom lives there. His dad would stay in Ukraine. He would protect their home.

On the day Maks left, Russia attacked his city. Thick clouds of gray smoke filled the air. It was time to go. Maks grabbed his backpack and a suitcase.

His dad drove him to Ukraine’s border with Poland. There, Maks and his dad said goodbye. Maks made the rest of the trip alone.

Maksym Kosar, 17, stuffed his backpack with books, his laptop, his cell phone, bottled water, and snacks.

But Maksym—Maks for short—wasn’t headed to class. Instead, he had packed to flee his home in Ukraine.

Earlier that day, Russia had invaded Ukraine. Tens of thousands of people were rushing to escape to safety in other countries.

As he watched the news of the war, Maks realized he would have to leave. So his parents made a plan: Maks would go to live with his mom, who lives in New York City, while his dad would remain in Ukraine to protect their home.

On the day Maks left, Russia attacked an airfield in his city and thick clouds of gray smoke filled the air. It was time to go. Maks grabbed his backpack and a small suitcase.

Maks’s father drove Maks to Ukraine’s border with Poland. The trip took hours. Then Maks said goodbye to his dad and prepared to make the rest of the journey on his own.

PAUSE AND THINK: Why did Maks leave his home? Where did he go?

A Country in Danger

Peter Cavanagh/Alamy Stock Photo

Vladimir Putin

Maks has known only an independent Ukraine. But Ukraine and Russia were once part of the same country. It was called the Soviet Union. In 1991, the Soviet Union broke apart into 15 separate nations.

Since 1999, Vladimir Putin has led Russia. He keeps tight control of the country. People who challenge him are sent to jail. Experts say Putin wants to replace Ukraine’s leader with one who is loyal to Russia.

On February 24, Russia invaded Ukraine. Since then, tens of thousands of people have been killed in the violence. More than 6 million people have been forced to flee.

The United States and other countries have spoken out against the violence. They have also sent military supplies to help Ukraine fight back.

Maks has known only an independent Ukraine. But Ukraine and Russia were once part of the same country. It was called the Soviet Union. In 1991, the Soviet Union broke apart. It became 15 separate nations.

Since 1999, Vladimir Putin has led Russia. He keeps tight control of the country. He puts people in jail if they challenge him. Experts say Putin wants to replace Ukraine’s leader. They say he wants someone who is loyal to Russia.

On February 24, Russia invaded Ukraine. Tens of thousands of people have died in the violence. More than 6 million people have fled.

The United States and other countries say Putin’s actions were wrong. They’ve sent military supplies to help Ukraine fight back.

An independent Ukraine is what Maks has always known. But Ukraine and Russia were once part of the same country, called the Soviet Union. In 1991, the Soviet Union separated into 15 nations.

Since 1999, Vladimir Putin has led Russia with a tight grip, sending people who challenge him to jail. Experts say that Putin wants to replace Ukraine’s leader with one who is loyal to Russia.

On February 24, Russia invaded Ukraine. Since then, tens of thousands of people have been killed in the violence, and more than 6 million people have been forced to flee.

The United States and other countries have spoken out against the violence. They have also supplied Ukraine with military equipment.

PAUSE AND THINK: What was the Soviet Union?

Escaping a War Zone

As his father’s car pulled away, Maks crossed the border into Poland. He spent two nights in a hotel. Then he caught a flight to New York to be with his mom.

After the danger he left behind, Maks says, a new city and school didn’t seem so scary. And he soon learned he wasn’t alone.

Maks is now one of nine Ukrainian refugees at St. George Academy in New York City. At the high school, 40 percent of the 90 students are of Ukrainian descent.

After Maks crossed the border into Poland, he spent two nights in a hotel. Then he flew to New York.

After the danger he left behind, Maks wasn’t afraid of a new city and school. Soon, he learned he wasn’t alone.

Maks is now one of nine Ukrainian refugees at St. George Academy. It’s a high school in New York City. Forty percent of the 90 students are of Ukrainian descent.

As his father’s car pulled away, Maks crossed the border into Poland. After spending two nights in a hotel, he caught a flight to New York to be with his mother.

Compared with the dangers he fled, Maks says, a new city and school aren’t especially scary. And he soon discovered that he wasn’t alone.

Maks is now one of nine Ukrainian refugees at St. George Academy in New York City. At the high school, 40 percent of the 90 students are of Ukrainian descent.

PAUSE AND THINK: What made Maks feel less alone at his new school?

“I Feel Safe Here”

At St. George, Ukraine’s yellow and blue flag hangs proudly in classrooms. The hallways are covered with students’ messages of support. “Leave Ukraine alone!” one poster reads.

“Everyone is friendly here,” says Viktoriya Luchkevych, 17. She left a city in western Ukraine to stay with family in New York. “But I feel like all the good things in my life have dropped away from me.”

Ukraine is seven hours ahead of New York. Every morning, both Maks and Viktoriya get up to read the news. They also check on loved ones back home. “I feel safe here,” Viktoriya says.

Maks agrees. “I wish everyone could feel as safe as I do,” he says.

Maks received a warm welcome in New York. But he misses Ukraine. He plans to return to help rebuild his country when it’s safe to do so. “It’s my homeland,” he explains. “My friends and family are there. I will surely go back.”

Ukraine’s flag hangs in classrooms at St. George. The hallways are covered with messages of support written by students. “Leave Ukraine alone!” one poster reads.

“Everyone is friendly here,” says Viktoriya Luchkevych, 17. She left Ukraine to stay with family in New York. “But I feel like all the good things in my life have dropped away from me.”

Maks and Viktoriya read the news about Ukraine every day. They check on loved ones there too. “I feel safe here,” Viktoriya says.

Maks agrees. “I wish everyone could feel as safe as I do,” he says.

Maks got a warm welcome in New York. But he misses Ukraine. He plans to return when it’s safe. He wants to help rebuild his country. “It’s my homeland,” he says. “I will surely go back.” •

At St. George, Ukraine’s yellow and blue flag hangs proudly in classrooms, and the hallways are covered with students’ messages of support. “Leave Ukraine alone!” one poster reads.

Ukraine is seven hours ahead of New York. Every morning, both Maks and Viktoriya get up to read the news and check on loved ones back home. “I feel safe here,” Viktoriya says.

Maks agrees. “I wish everyone could feel as safe as I do,” he says.

Maks received a warm welcome in New York but he misses Ukraine. He plans to return to help rebuild his country when it’s safe to do so. “It’s my homeland,” he explains. “My friends and family are there. I will surely go back.” •