Ukrainian to discuss her country’s plight

Polson Flathead Lake Museum will host "An Evening of Ukraine" at 7 p.m. Aug. 9, featuring Lolita Avetysian (now, Lolita Gray) who lives in Polson with her husband, John Gray.

Her family still resides in Ukraine and she was in Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022 – the day Russia invaded her country. She, along with her brother's wife and child, escaped across the Polish border and drove to Denmark. Her cousin has since lost her husband to the war.

She’ll share her perspective of what led up to the invasion as well as her opinions regarding what a "just outcome" of this conflict might look like.

"I think people should know what's really going on there," she says. "We didn't start this war. The Russians attacked us."

Her country has a wealth of farmland and natural resources, and inventive, hardworking citizens, who have shown surprising resilience in the war against a superpower. "We have potential," she says. "We have something to give to the world."

A moderator will ask questions and field questions from the audience.

The museum is located at 708 Main St. in Polson. Admission is free, and the evening includes light refreshments and complimentary Ukrainian flags. Donations to the museum are welcome.