INDIANAPOLIS — Though she was born in Ukraine, Anya Aslanova has built a successful life here in the Hoosier state.
Aslanova was raised in Kyiv and moved to the U.S. in 1996 and serves as the president of Arts for Learning, a local arts organization. She's been in the position for six months.
By all measures, she's doing well for herself.
But right now, her mind is on her family back home in Ukraine.
“I’m safe, I have a roof over my head I have food on the table. I know I have future tomorrow, I know I have tomorrow. They don’t,” Aslanova said.
Aslanova's family is still in Ukraine amid an ongoing conflict prompted by Russia's invasion of the country last week.
Anya said she talks to her family every moment she can as their situation changes by the minute.
“Terror. That's what I’ve been hearing. It needs to stop. It all needs to stop,” Aslanova said.
And with each passing day, Anya’s family continues to show their strength in uncertain times.
“There is a sense of survivor's guilt, I won't deny it — the fact that I am here and my friends and my family who could very well be here and they are not and they are in danger instead,” Aslanova said.
Aslanova said she ultimately just wants peace for her country.
“The overarching message is peace in Ukraine, its freedom in Ukraine, these people lived peacefully, they were free they were happy, they were building their county and they were hopeful,” Aslanova said.
-
Ballard turns in 74,000 signatures in independent secretary of state bid
Former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard on Tuesday said his success in gathering signatures shows his candidacy is a movement.
Cayuga man sentenced to prison for 11 and 1/2 years for child pornography
A man in Vermillion County was sentenced to prison for 11 and 1/2 years on Thursday for possessing child pornography, police say.
USAC points leader Jakeb Boxell aims to get first feature victory in BC39 at IMS
The BC39 gets underway this week on The Dirt Track at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Jakeb Boxell looks to get his first feature victory in the series.
Cayuga man was sentenced for child pornography
36-year-old Zachary McBride of Cayuga was sentenced after he "engaged in communicating with a minor" and provided the minor funds for groceries in exchange for child pornography.
