Nashville residents are using their voices — and opening their wallets — to support Ukraine

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is hitting close to home for Nashville residents with ties to Eastern Europe. One of these people is Vanderbilt freshman Diana Nalyvaiko, whose family is in Ukraine.

Nalyvaiko spoke to This Is Nashville host Khalil Ekulona about how she’s using her voice to bring attention to the conflict overseas.

“I had to draw the attention to Ukraine of people from America so that they know that we actually need everybody’s help and everybody’s help matters because this is a huge, serious problem,” she said. “It’s not just about Ukraine or Russia or politics, it’s about the whole world. It’s about people who are dying. It’s about justice and democracy.”

Shortly after the war began, Nalyvaiko organized a protest at Vanderbilt. On Tuesday, she sang the Ukrainian national anthem before a Nashville Predators game at Bridgestone Arena.

Also joining the conversation was journalist Kathryn Rickmeyer, who recently wrote about how Nashvillians are showing their support for Ukraine by shopping at Aleksey’s in Berry Hill.

“I realized that people just really wanted to help. Whether that’s buying a $5 box of chocolate or some tea biscuits, people want to feel like they can do something,” said Rickmeyer.