- A contingent of local Ukrainian officials is in Utah, seeking advice on community development as the Russian invasion continues.
- The officials met Monday with Utah lawmakers and will visit officials from six Utah cities in coming days.
- The visit comes as the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion nears and amid debate over continuing U.S. aid to Ukraine.
SALT LAKE CITY — The attacks on Ukraine by Russia continue, even as local leaders in the war-torn country try to keep up with the routine duties of keeping their communities afloat.
"We do our best to ... take care of our citizens and members of our community ... but with the difference that we do it under the constant fear of being killed," said Andreii Seletskyi. He's head of military administration in Novovorontsovka, an agrarian area in southern Ukraine that's just 5 miles from Russian-occupied Ukraine.
Novovorontsovka officials have adjusted as well as they can as the war nears the four-year mark, he said. But still, they want their community to progress and, to that end, he and three other Novovorontsovka officials are in Utah for a five-day visit, hoping for practical advice and inspiration on how they can keep the area moving forward.
"As a community, we want to develop and progress, not just sit there and wait for the war to end," Seletskyi said through a translator.
On Monday, the four visitors, working with local officials who have teamed with forPeace, a Utah-based nonprofit assisting war-torn Ukrainian communities, were recognized with a citation from the Utah House and Senate for their efforts.
"They exhibit heroic commitment to rebuilding, with a vision to further better their community," it reads.
Daniel Woodruff, KSLBeyond that, they'll be meeting with local officials in West Jordan, Sandy, Bountiful, North Salt Lake, Spanish Fork and Nephi during their visit, which goes through Thursday, for hands-on advice from their Utah counterparts.
"We'll be talking about infrastructure. We'll be talking about processes that our Utah cities use for budgeting, for public communication, for planning and laying out utilities in the city," said Josh Chandler, who serves as the West Jordan city attorney and has helped organize the visit.
The visiting contingent, however, isn't focused just on the nuts and bolts of survival. Russia occupied the area for seven months at the start of the war before being forced out, and the invading forces destroyed a dam that left some without water before Novovorontsovka officials crafted a workaround, underscoring the challenges they have overcome. Rather, they want Novovorontsovka and Ukraine to thrive, and they're looking ahead to a time when the war is over.
Chandler, other Utah officials and forPeace reps organized the trip so the Ukrainian contingent can get feedback on "questions related to infrastructure development, public administration, transparency practices, all to sort of strengthen democracy starting at the most local level," said Britta Ellwanger, of forPeace.
"The vision there, though, is they really are builders of a nation alongside being protectors of their nation," Ellwanger said.
Yulii Morozov, an adviser to Novovorontsovka who has worked with nonprofit organizations in the area, thinks the community is well-positioned given the tough circumstances. He's among the four Ukrainian visitors.
"It's amazing because I believe that their community will be one of the pioneers after the war ends. They will be one of the pioneers who will start rebuilding the new Ukraine," he said.
At any rate, the visit comes amid uncertainty, as the fourth anniversary of the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, nears. It also comes amid debate among U.S. lawmakers about whether to continue providing assistance to Ukraine.
The future of U.S. aid is a source of concern, Seletskyi said, and one of his hopes with the visit is to remind the public that the war continues. "But if we're talking about the support of just regular Americans and American organizations, we see (an) increase in that support, especially ... for peace," he said.
Margret Ellwanger, the mother of Britta Ellwanger and CEO of forPeace, said she hopes Utahns can see via the visitors that Ukraine is an ally.
"They are friends of America. They're friends of American people because we have shared values," she said.
While visiting the Utah Capitol Monday, the contingent received a warm reception from Utah lawmakers.
"In the face of constant danger, they led civilian evacuations, restored access to running water following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam and worked to rebuild essential services. Their resilience, leadership and unwavering dedication exemplify courage in the most challenging circumstances," said Sen. Wayne Harper, R-Taylorsville.
Contributing: Daniel Woodruff
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