LANCASTER, S.C. — A year after Russia’s deadly invasion of Ukraine, the war is ongoing. 

According to the United Nations, at least 8,000 civilians have been killed and nearly 13,300 injured since Feb. 24, 2022. However, the international organization emphasized the number is likely higher. The U.N. estimates at least 14 million people have been displaced from their homes. 

Anastasiia Terentieva moved to the U.S. from Ukraine in 2016 with her family to escape violence. 

Her country is still close to her heart, and she cherishes many of the positive memories she made there.

After the war started, Terentieva recalls crying when watching video of a building explosion right in the center of her city, Kharhiv. This is the second largest city in Ukraine. 

“[It feels] someone is destroying my childhood, my memories,” Terentieva said. 

On Monday, she looked back at pictures of the devastation in Kharkiv, including photos of her friend’s home destroyed by a bomb. 

Her loved ones went to other parts of Ukraine or left the country altogether. However, before fleeing they didn’t know if they would survive. 

“My friend sent me a video where she said she loved me, and she didn’t know if she ever can see me,” Terentieva said. 

Some of them came to the U.S., and her family welcomed 10 of them to their home. 

A refugee from Kharhiv is staying in their guest bedroom at the moment, and the woman recently panicked, mistaking the sound of thunder for bombs. 

“She started crying. She woke up and then understood she was here, but she was crying all the night,” Terentieva said. 

Terentieva said giving them shelter makes her feel useful. 

“I can’t imagine how they feel, really. All your life, all you built destroyed in one minute,” Terentieva said. 

She also mourns the lives lost in the war. 

“It destroyed me inside,” Terentieva said. 

After the war started, she also cut ties with her parents. They are both Russian and support the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“I don’t have parents anymore, because they support all of this,” Terentieva said. 

Instead, she’s found a network of Ukrainian supporters in the Carolinas. They host rallies in the Charlotte area, raising money for Ukranians, which she said gives her purpose. 

“It gives you some power to live, to believe, to hope,” Terentieva said. 

She and Ukrainian supporters will gather at Romare Bearden Park in Charlotte on Friday, Feb. 24, to remember those who died and pray for those who are still in Ukraine. 

The event starts at 6 p.m.