CLEVELAND — The Israel-Hamas War is capturing headlines around the world, often pushing Russia's invasion of Ukraine from the front page.

The Ukrainian community in Cleveland is reminding people that their country is still at war and needs all the help it can get. The Ukrainian ambassador to the United States was in Cleveland on Friday morning to share that message. 


What You Need To Know

  • The Ukrainian community in Cleveland is reminding people that their country is still at war

  • The Cleveland Maidan Association will send another shipment of aid to Ukraine 

  • One man shared the story of how he lost his leg while serving in the Ukrainian army

Myroslav Pylypchyk is in northeast Ohio from Ukraine where he served in the army, fighting the Russian invasion

Pylypchyk doesn’t speak much English yet, but he's found a way to serve his country, despite losing his leg in the conflict.

"When we coming back, I hear some explosion. When I try to stay and go to our position, I drop again because my leg was broke," he said.

Pylypchyk recalled the moment last year when he came across a Russian land mine. He lost his leg, but didn't let his injury hold him back as he packed supplies for Ukrainian families.

The urgent need for that type of help brought Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova to Cleveland to talk about the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

"We would not be able to defend ourselves without the support of all Americans," she said.

Marakova is trying to help people here in Ohio visualize what the situation is like in her country every day.

"Much longer than Washington D.C. to Chicago and it’s a constant artillery battle," she said.

It's a message Taras Mahlay with the Cleveland Maidan Association said is needed now more than ever.

"Some of the attention has been gone from Ukraine, especially to the Middle East, I believe Ukraine is part of the picture," he said.

Pylypchyk is doing his part to fill that need, while trying to stay positive and serving his country from afar.

"I need to do it, because it’s Ukraine and I’m Ukrainian," he said.