Essays

A personal reflection on the moral toll of living abroad during the war in Ukraine, supporting the right side while grappling with the guilt of indirect connections to Russia. A story about exile, responsibility, and the emotional contradictions of helping both victims and family.

At 29, I was buried in debt, betrayed by partners, and haunted by a handshake deal gone wrong. This is a true story of how bad decisions, blind trust, and the Russian way of doing business nearly broke me — and what I learned clawing my way out.