(choir tuning) (choir tuning) - My name is Oleksandr or Alex Kreshchuk.
I came here from Ukraine.
(bright choir music) (bright choir music continues) - Good evening, and we're coming on the air at this hour with breaking news.
After the US warned all day of a full scale Russian invasion of Ukraine that it was imminent, Vladimir Putin has just addressed the Russian people moments ago announcing what Putin called the start of a military special operation, in his words, to de-militarize Ukraine.
- First plan was to stay in our house and we want only children left.
But in the first minutes, we understood it's very serious solicitation and everybody must fled.
So we very quickly jump in our car.
We went on the road, the road was packed, this car, and very slowly we came and we had no idea where go.
First idea was go to Poland border and to Lutsk and to Warsaw.
But we get news Russian rocket bombed Lutsk also.
So we turned left on the Chernivtsi area and to Romanian border.
And when we came there, a crowd of people, mostly women and children crying.
It was very cold, it was terrible stage.
Many times I'm saw on TV what happened in Syria or in other countries when refugees left countries.
But I cannot imagine, I can see myself what's happened.
I'm standing in this crowd and crying and I saw my kids, I saw on my grandchildren and have no idea what will happen.
(gentle music) Our house was crowded with kids, teenagers, especially New Year's Eve or Christmas or birthday celebration, all time our house was full with music, kids and joy and preparing food.
(bright music) (bright music continues) Before war, it was very active life.
Now I was involved in music ministry in Ukraine and music education.
So my main point of my life was training, choir conductor and conduct choir, organize different choir, and also serve in the church.
(bright music continues) - [Announcer] 5,000 people have been registered in the choir coming from many republics throughout this vast country.
Their songs stirred the people and particularly this national song entitled "Over Our Homeland" which they had been forbidden to sing for many years.
Let's listen.
(choir singing in foreign language) (gentle music) - In five or six weeks after we left, we get news.
Russian army left Europe.
And next hour we get a picture and all our family crying because it was absolutely all destroyed, bombing and everything was burning.
And big library, good collection of music instrument, and all photos of what we collect during last 35, 40 years.
(gentle music) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (family chatting in foreign language) (family chatting continues) Every day we're crying and praying about them because they have no apartment, no house.
They stay in one apartment.
But Russian rocket came and destroyed near electricity station near the house.
It's very difficult, difficult time.
- Did you read, Sasha?
Alex, did you read this news this morning?
- [Alex] No.
(family chatting) (car motor running) (no audio) (bright music) - And I visited many countries and it's one sight when came this concert or came as a tourist, but another way to come as a refugee.
I met a very deeply compassion and people with deep love and with open heart.
I never met angry people and they said "why you ask me something?"
Everyone I met, very good.
- [Interviewer] Does it make you sad to think about your former life?
- If to say I'm sad or not sad, I understand the life is a journey on the way from day of birth to till day of death.
And we must come through different events in our life.
And when I see back on my life, it's not sad.
I am only thankful to God.
He gave this experience, this chance to live.
And now I understand it's a new period of my life.
And even I need to start from zero level, I will do it.
(gentle music) (gentle music continues) - When Providence-based and New York Times