Vuélvete ilimitado con Magzter GOLD
Obtenga acceso ilimitado a más de 9000 revistas, periódicos e historias Premium por solo
Intentar ORO - Gratis
War tears family apart
The Citizen
|February 24, 2026
CUT OFF: UKRAINIAN MOM LIVING IN RUSSIA REGARDED AS A TRAITOR
-
In war-torn Ukraine, her family considers her a traitor. In tightly controlled Russia, her life is defined by solitude.
A Ukrainian living in Russia for the past 20 years, Maria whose name has been changed for her safety - has for four years watched with horror as her adopted homeland waged war against her native country.
Her parents are her only family in Ukraine who still speak to her.
The rest of her friends and relatives there have cut her off.
"They consider me a traitor," said Maria, aged 48.
Her nephew, fighting for Ukraine, was wounded in combat while her son-in-law, drafted into Russia's army, was killed.
After moving to Russia to study, Maria stayed and would regularly visit Ukraine until 2022.
Moscow's decision to launch its full-scale military offensive on February 24, 2022 was "shocking" to her.
Maria has not seen her family in Ukraine since unable to leave Russia as her Ukrainian passport expired.
She is trying to get Russian citizenship to be able to travel more freely, but is caught in a vicious bureaucratic cycle.
Esta historia es de la edición February 24, 2026 de The Citizen.
Suscríbete a Magzter GOLD para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9000 revistas y periódicos.
¿Ya eres suscriptor? Iniciar sesión
MÁS HISTORIAS DE The Citizen
The Citizen
Black Caps up for the spin challenge
SANTNER: ADAPTING TO SLOW COLOMBO WICKET IS KEY
1 mins
February 25, 2026
The Citizen
Proteas women to keep things simple
The Proteas women will be following the mantra of keeping things simple, as they look to secure a series win over Pakistan when the two teams collide in the second ODI at Super-Sport Park in Centurion today (1pm start).
1 mins
February 25, 2026
The Citizen
Brook century leads England into the semis
Captain Harry Brook (below) scored his first T20 international century to take England into the World Cup semifinals with a nervy two-wicket win against Pakistan in the Super Eights in Kandy.
1 mins
February 25, 2026
The Citizen
Bank on Pirates in derby 184
Player strength and performances suggest Orlando Pirates should run away with the first Soweto derby of the season when they take on Kaizer Chiefs at Soccer City on Saturday.
2 mins
February 25, 2026
The Citizen
Lesufi is out of touch - ANC-style
Going through the images on our picture desk as we put the newspaper together is fascinating, can be inspiring... but at the same time depressing, especially when it comes to the vignettes of daily life in South Africa.
1 mins
February 25, 2026
The Citizen
Raising the bar in Costa Rica
I wish I could say I am standing shoulder-to-shoulder with my compatriots as they suffer water shortages in Joburg, brutal humidity in Durban and exorbitant rates and rentals in Cape Town, but I can't.
3 mins
February 25, 2026
The Citizen
'Losses don't make England bad'
Jamie George (right) insists England's slump in the Six Nations Championship is a temporary affair, with the hooker confident the side will bounce back away to Italy.
1 min
February 25, 2026
The Citizen
Putin has failed –Ukraine leader
ZELENSKY: NO DEAL WITHOUT SECURITY GUARANTEES
2 mins
February 25, 2026
The Citizen
Stormers set for injury returnees
URC: RAFT OF PLAYERS BACK FOR CLASH AGAINST LIONS
2 mins
February 25, 2026
The Citizen
Residents up in arms as city shares cable theft costs
Residents are angry over Msunduzi municipality's new policy which requires property owners to pay a portion of the cost to replace stolen electricity cables, saying they are being forced to shoulder the burden of crime while already paying rates and taxes.
1 mins
February 25, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size