GENE: Larysa, you've also heard, trying to hear  from friends and folks, you know, in Ukraine.

How's it going for you to be in communication  with folks?

Let's, let's start there.

CASTILLO: The communication is pretty well at this  time.

There is some, yeah, some technical problems   but communication is well.

I talked to my mom.

She said they lost television over there because   the bomb hit the TV station, all the antennas  and they cannot see any news, but they can   get it on radio right now.

But, we communicate  through fiber using internet data.

That works,   so that works and that Is really helping.

My mom  just hears.

She is in a city which is about 20   miles away from Kyiv and the bombing and she  hears everything.

It is, goes here and there.

It is very loud.

When I talk to her, I see her going down, trying to, you know, that   reflex humans have when you hear bombs hitting the  ground.

I was able to reach, actually, yesterday,   to my cousin who's in Bergdansk, where is the  big fight is going on, also, yes and that was   so relieving.

So, I knew that they okay  at this time, but they ready to step in   and fight.

They ready to do civilian defense.

They, they already, they just can't believe that   all this happening, that insane situation is going  on and that and there is not much help around.

GENE: Nataliya, you’re also a filmmaker.

I  should mention as well.

As the President of the   Ukrainian, Ukrainian Americans of New Mexico, the  group that is here, of course… you’re all members,   I should point out.

Tell us, tell us about your  family situation and how you are able to contact   folks in Ukraine.

Is it difficult?

Are you hearing  from people you want to hear from at this point?

EDELMAN: Yeah.

We have actually difficult  situation.

My relatives and friends   right now in Kyiv and Chernihiv.

We  hear little sounds, 10 miles from   Kyiv and Russian Troops last night, they bombed them for eight hours.

I lost connection.

And we,   of course, cannot communicate with them on… fiber, is only thing, but I lost communication   with them for a day and I didn't know what  happened to them.

My friend sent me picture,   they actually like a tape, like messages on  fiber because we have a group in our building   and I see that they talk and they say, what is  wrong, what can you do, there Is a bomb here,   and other people say, no, you have to stay to home  because we couldn't go out and people, some say   my kid is crying, I don't know  where I should hide them.

It is all   really, really sad and difficult because Bucha is  a very beautiful city.

And they destroyed the city   completely.

It is very sad to see those pictures.

GENE: Are there… guys.

I'll ask everybody,  but I'll start with Nataliya on this…   is the, I know the TV station, that one tv station  tower is down.

Did that hold all the tv stations   in Ukraine?

Is there another way to get up, in  your, in your native language, you can hear some   news?

Is there a way to get that done now?

NATALIYA: It's just, only one, you know,   but we have actually in Bucha, we have  a small station, you know, it helps   to spread the information, you know, just  in the local, but the main tv station, it's…   and I don't know actually do they  have any news right now on tv   in Kyiv, especially right… I don't know, because  I couldn't get connections with all my relatives   for now.

My last connection with them.

GENE: Gotcha.

They're bumping you terribly…   you know, George, I was watching to get  ready for the… Well, I watch it all the time,   al Jazeera and France 24, their coverage  is very much on the ground it… For,   for folks in the states who have been  watching this, you know, we're talking   about the human side of this of course was this a  huge surprise, the way Mr. Putin went about this,   or, you know, as far as we knew in the states, it  was just those two regions that were in dispute.

And now, suddenly the whole darn country is  under attack.

Was this a surprise for Ukrainians   that he tried to go for a whole bite here?

DANLIOV: Before, I go to that, I just want to   comment a little bit about the news and how people  can see what's going on, who are in Ukraine.

There   is a right, right now, like all the big media  companies in Ukraine are banded together and   then doing a 24-hour marathon broadcast with the  two-hour shifts from different stations, changing   and it's, it's been live on Youtube on several  channels and most of Ukrainians who has internet   access can see that live tv feed all the time, but  in places which are close to the actual fighting,   the signal and the internet, mobile internet  is not available.

So, that's the thing.

So, I mean, yeah, it's like a like a big thing to  unpack this molecular, geopolitical expert kind   of question, but the way we see this was always,  where it was hated, like at least some of their   Ukrainians, who are, or people who are analyzing  situation destroyed from 2007, from Putin's   original Munich speech, that was declared out loud  for the first time, the intent and I think like   some of the West still, like, misunderstands that  this is not just about Ukraine.

Of course, Ukraine   is an important part of identity, of Russian  empire to be… So, this is the part of Russian   empire, but the understanding I wanted to bring up  and, like, people to be more aware of there is an   ideology behind this and there is a figure, whose  name is Nitry Dugan, he is an ideologist of a very   far-right, like, almost fascist, like, ideology  and a lot of hazard ideology, has a big   sway into… you can see him… he's Steve Bannon of  the ultra-right of the Kremlin regime currently.

Let's see and we're there, that the philosophy is  not about just Ukraine.

It's about destroying the   liberal democracy.

It's like, it’s a crusade.

GENE: I have a question, another poli-sci sort   of question.

We've just got to get through  some of these, unfortunately, because it's   kind of the way these things go.

Larysa, what  do you make of Belarus getting involved here?

I,   that, to me, that was like,  just a, out of the blue.

How does this complicate the  situation for folks living in Ukraine,   to have Belarus coming over the border like this?

CASTILLO: It complicates the situation big time,   because it's a spread of their attacks, because  they're attacking from three sides now.

It's   going to be even stronger attacks hitting north  of Ukraine and that's, of course, not fair because   Russian people, they don't want the war.

We had a  protest meeting yesterday by government building   in Santa Fe.

We had Bella-Russian people, we  had people from Lithuania, coming to support   us.

We know Bella-Russians don't want it.

They've  been pushed by their government, by Lukashenko   and Lukashenko is Putin's puppet.

That's how  Putin wants… he wants to have puppets all over,   all of the Soviet Union, former Soviet Union.

He wants all it back and that's what he creates.

He lost Yanukovych, who was his puppet on  Ukrainian territory and that's why he got mad   and that's what created the situation.

And he was  developing it.

Until now, until he found that he's   ready to strike.

And he did it and we all scared  and we pray to God, we asking for government help   here, in America, everywhere to stop that,  because he not gonna stop.

He's gonna go for   the world.

It's not over.

We're all in danger.

GENE: Nataliya, could you pick up on that same   situation.

I mean, Belarus coming over the  border complicates everything.

NATO is now,   you know, staged American troops are going over,  not to fight, but to help in other ways, too.

Your sense of what, what's happened  now that Belarus has crossed and the   things have escalated to an all new level here.

EDELMAN: Lukaszenko, like Larysa told before,   he will stay with her, Putin,  because he does don't have a choice.

Because he know what happened, you  know, after he Putin, because people,   Russian, they, they will have a revolution.

They  definitely, because nobody wanna… they have a   president for 20 years, like a Putin, you know,  to be president.

It's for 20 years.

It's not, it's   not democratic country at all, yeah.

And if you  really, what really we need from government, so   United States government it's, NATO can help  establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine prevents   Moscow from the, from shelling civilian and  military objects in Ukraine with guided missiles.

Our planes, helicopters, drones… it's really  important.

It's, at first, what we need to stay,   to ask government, “Please help establish  no-fly zone.

It's the most important,” for now.

GENE: I'm curious… I want to pick up on one,  Natalie was just saying, Nataliya was just saying,   but the, the idea I'm thinking about the State of  The Union Speech last night from President Biden   and just a real simple question to start this off,   were you Satisfied with the president's response  during the State of The Union Speech last night?

DANILOV: I am embarrassed to say, these are  the things I always follow but not this moment   because if you can just point out what were the  most Important things i would be able to respond.

GENE: Let me kick that to Larysa and kind  of come back.

He did talk about Ukraine,   very tough on Putin, but talked a lot about  sanctions.

That was about it.

Were you satisfied?

CASTILLO: I know most of the world and Biden  trying to isolate Putin financially.

That means a   lot, but it is not enough.

We need more.

We need  physical help, not the fighting, but at least   bring in equipment, tanks, whatever, airplanes,  in faster.

Because, it is way too slow.

They   don't get enough.

They don't get enough.

And they need bullet proof vests, they need   protection so they can fight, not die over there.

GENE: You might recall last week the President of   Ukraine said, “I don't need a lift, I need arms.

I don't need a ride out of here.

I am staying.”   So, again, I guess we are leading up to an obvious  question here.

Allies of Ukraine, allies of NATO,   NATO members, whatever the case may be, is there  a step you personally would like to see all   these entities take in this situation here soon?

DANLIOV: It is a tough one, because web absolutely   Ukraine suffers from this bombardment  in a lot of political situations,   but on the ground, our forces are really holding  back this huge army and they are doing a great   job, but the protection from the sky is what hurts  the civilians and hurts the army more, I mean,   yeah.

It is horrendous.

It is actual war crimes,  what we are seeing.

We want to have a no-fly zone,  but we understand that means direct military  confrontation with Russia, which is, everybody Is   trying to avoid.

So, it is a tough one.

We would  like to have it.

I don't know if it is possible.

GENE: It is a tough one, isn't it?

It is a tough  one, because the second something starts it is   World War III and that's a difficulty, I hear you.

GEORGE: What it is, I may say, just one quick   thing, what is possible is to establish  a humanitarian freedom, what we call a   freedom breach.

Basically, we need to have a  very direct, fast delivery to leave let's say   of aids and then equipment and medical  supplies.

So, we need, that can be provided,   because this is not a military operation, right?

GENE: That's a good point.

That's a distinction.

I'm glad you made that distinction.

That's, that's a good point.

Nataliya, the organization, there was some  – Larysa mentioned in Santa Fe, there were   protests.

Tell us what happened after the past  few days and if there are other protests planned   for the New Mexico area we should be aware of.

EDELMAN: Okay, we already start demonstrations   one month ago.

We knew Putin were going into  Ukraine.

I told my friends please, but they didn't   believe it.

They say, “No, no, it couldn't happen,  no, no.” I say, “Please do something now.” And,   we already have like four demonstrations.

The first one, January 13, I think, yes.

And   we had three more demonstrations.

So, now we tried  to send a letter to congressmen, to, you know,   to have like, to get some information, because  we would not -- got a connection and we saw   Red Cross and we want to be ready  when the refugees come to New Mexico.

We just tried to organize, you know,  everything that the connections,   rent storages, looking for churches who  can help out and what kind of churches   because, you know, actually the  Russian church in Santa Fe, they   say we will help you, you know, we were Like, wow.

GENE: I guess I never thought about that.

You're   right, the church in Santa Fe, it's interesting… NATALIYA: Yeah, but some of you know he was   with, we were with Russian, Russian Orthodox and  the Ukrainian, you know, you know these have some   problems, serious problems, yeah.

But, it's so, like, wow.

When the   father, father David from Santa Fe  church, he called me and said Nataliya,   we can do it.

I was so thankful for him.

GENE: Are there other refugees, of the   planning… Well, it's hard to tell these things,  of course, because the information is sketchy,   but do you anticipate a wave of refugees coming  at some point here to New Mexico as well.

If   everything would be, like, what we, you know, no  they probably would be here some of them would be   here tomorrow… oh, not tomorrow, next week, right?

NATALIYA: Yeah, some, I don't know how many yet,   but I know they will come here to New Mexico.

I think some, maybe, many, I don't know the,   how many for now.

But, I think some  Ukrainians will come and you don't,   don't have to worry about Ukrainians,  because it's a intelligent, smart people,   hard workers.

It's what, I what, I tell you there  is no crimes, you know.

New Mexico's supposed   to be, like, be safe with Ukrainians, you know.

GENE: It's interesting you see that I'm smiling,   because as you three probably well know,  there's a theater company here in Albuquerque,   Tricklock that has done work with Ukrainian  artists for a lot of years.

Now bringing over   Ukrainians here and I've had the good pleasure to  interview and meet and have a lot of fun with some   of the artists that have come.

I couldn't  agree with you more Nataliya, it just, it   would suit me fine if a whole bunch of  Ukrainian folk came here, I'd be okay with that,   absolutely.

You know, any last  thoughts, I want to let you   get back to what you're doing.

What do Americans  need to know, or Albuquerquians, or New Mexicans,   what do we need to know about Ukraine at  this point?

Is there something missing   that bothers you about the understanding of  your country that you want folks to know?

DANILOV: It is, again, a big one to attack,  but something to be aware is, for example, that   this war is the old misinformation war and  there is still quite a bit of misinformation   floating around in the West and even big media  reports and sometimes the picture is distorted.

We have a lot of doomsday scenario.

Everything is  going to fold.

Kyiv is going to fold in two days   and what I want to say is just that it is good to  be aware that there is a complicated situation,   to get your own sense out of it and, if possible,  find Ukrainian sources who are on the ground,   who are doing robust fact checks.

Find Ukrainians who report in English   and you can get a better picture of actually  what is going on.

The other things is, of course,   put pressure on your local representatives and  compel them to do the things that we talked about,   what Ukraine's desire for protection and  to improve humanitarian commentary and,   also, I'm pretty sure, you know, we can leave  some sources for donations for all kinds and   for support organizations and, and what kind of  NGOs because NGOs right now is at the forefront   of that, I witnessed what's happening in Poland,  in Ukraine through communication for volunteers,   when trying to accommodate my family.

It's very  amazing what they're doing.

They just need all   the help, because they know what they're doing.

GENE: Wow, that's, that, that warms my heart.

I'm glad, I'm glad you said that actually.

Made  me feel good, there in the middle of all this.

Larysa, you have a unique position.

You were  there in the medical field and in the medical   field here as a nurse.

I am interested in  your perspective.

What don't we know here   in the states about Ukraine that we  need to know about.

What is missing?

CASTILLO: About Ukraine?

It is a lot.

Because it is complicated history,   where Ukraine were under Russian jurisdiction  for a long time and in 19th Century,   Ukrainian people were physically slaved of Russia Nobles and the dream of Ukrainian people was   always to be free and when Soviet Union broke off  and that unique chance became our opportunity.

And we were free for 30 years.

And now we got  a taste of it and no one can take it away.

That is why our people are fighting to the  last breath, to the last drop of their blood.

And they are going to stand for their country  because they know they want their freedom.

They don't want to be puppet of Russia.

He,  they don't want to be colonial.

They don't   want to be -- yeah, they don't want to be –  I mean, the world didn't stop, it moves on.

We have been free.

You can't just come and tell  us, “Hey, remember that time, I want you back.”   No.

It is impossible.

History grown by people who  is living in their country.

He is still reading by   these Ukrainian people, they love their country.

They don't want to give it up.

Putin can do   whatever crimes he is able, I know, he is sending  vacuum bombs.

He is dropping those, what you call   them, cluster bombs, cluster bombs.

They are directed for civilians.

They sending them around   the Hospitals, around the Kindergartens.

A lot  of kids get killed because of the cluster bombs,   because they explode, it shoots small bombs  everywhere.

That is what he does.

He has to   be held accountable for his crimes.

Those weapons  are prohibited.

It is banned and he is doing it.

Something has to be done.

He is not going to  turn history back.

History is moving forward.

And we are free and we want to be free.

GENE: Absolutely, I appreciate those   words so much.

Nataliya, how  can we help as New Mexicans.

Is there a place or website or Facebook  page?

What was the best place we could   give our hearts to the situation.

NATALIYA: Yeah, yeah.

We have a Facebook page.

We have Instagram.

We have a website you can go  and actually you can see what we learned before.

GENE: I can't thank you enough for your time.

I know this is a very difficult situation,   George Danilov, Larysa Castillo and  Nataliya Pavlenko-Edelman, she is the   President of the Ukrainian Americans of New Mexico and you two are members as well.