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Protests take place in Czech Republic to support Ukrainians after Russia invaded it. Junior computer science major Emily Hannon said that she has seen the community in Prague come together to support Ukrainians through protests and by giving humanitarian aid.

Oleksandr Korotetskyis brother and mother caught a train to evacuate from Ukraine on Saturday morning, but his father stayed in the country.

Korotetskyis brother will meet him in Czech Republic, where he is studying, while his mother wants to go back to her husband. Korotetskyi said that his mother does not want to leave his father alone in a warzone.

I think it is a high probability that I will never be able to hear him again because he will die, Korotetskyi said. So he is at the private house, our private house, with cat, and he feels scared because cat will die without care.

After Russia launched an invasion on Ukraine Feb. 24, Ukrainian cities have been shelled, and civilians have evacuated. Ukrainian and Russian students in Czech Republic, which has Poland and Slovakia between it and Ukraine, worry for their families, civilians and international relations, but some also have hope.

Korotetskyi said that a few days before, his family went out to find food, and apartments blew up next to them. He said that every day, Western countries provide Ukraine with military support such as ammunition or weapons.

But firstly, we must take care about people, civil people, people that do not want war, people that are victims of this war like my brother. He is 14 years old, and he had almost died three times, Korotetskyi said.

He has to work to provide the necessities for himself and his brother. He said that in Czech Republic, he is surprised by the support Ukraine is receiving. He said the university has provided students with support such as offering some financial support for those in need and some free food.

More than 2 million Ukrainians have left the country since Russia's invasion, according to a U.N. refugee agency tracker. These people represent about 5% of Ukraine's population.

Junior computer science major Emily Hannon, who is studying abroad in Czech Technical University, attends a protest in front of the Russian embassy to show support for Ukraine after Russia invaded the country. She said that she has also seen vandalism on parts of the embassy.

UCF junior computer science major Emily Hannon, who is studying abroad in Czech Technical University, said she has seen the community in Prague come together to support Ukrainians. For example, Hannon said that the owners of a wine store collected items and rented a truck to take aid to refugees themselves.

"Like, the whole community of Prague was giving them stuff. Their whole store was full of things to send to Ukraine, then outside there were piles of bags, Hannon said. There was a line out the door when we were there."

Hannon is also helping organize humanitarian aidand said that as an American, she is doing everything in her power to help people.

I think a lot of people in the U.S. don't exactly realize the reality of like what's happening because it's so far away, Hannon said.

Hannon said that she has attended protests, seen graffiti, seen some vandalism at the Russian embassy and also gave a speech herself. She said that at the first protest she attended, the group moved from Vclavsk Nmstto (Wenceslas Square) to the Russian embassy.

There was a moment of silence there was a moment of unsilence, Hannon said. So, they basically decided to make as much noise as possible so that the people in the embassy would be really bothered by us.

Pavlo is also studying in Czech Republic and has family in Crimea, an autonomous republic right south of Ukraine. Pavlo will only be referred to by his first name for the safety of his family.

Pavlo said that he has been depressed and devastated about the war with civilians being exterminated and cities being destroyed. He said that he contacts his family every day but cant really say that they are safe.

Nobody is safe now in Ukraine because of whats going on, Pavlo said.

Pavlo said that his family is staying in Crimea because that is their home, but he wanted them to leave. He said that it is not possible to give anything to his family because they are in an uncontrolled territory, so he sent money to charity and donated plasma to be used in Ukraine. He said it is what he can do because they are suffering while he is safe in Prague.

I hope that the war will end, and I will be able to meet my family and hug them, he said. As more people talk about, the more it makes - it affects the government to do something against.

Russian families are also financially suffering from sanctions from Western countries, said Alexey Ivanov, who requested a pseudonym for his and his familys safety in Russia. He said his family has a business whose target audience is other businesses in Russia, so they have not been affected yet.

As soon as other businesses will suffer the consequences, ours will, I guess, die because its impossible to survive in this economical sphere anymore, Ivanov said.

Ivanov said he does not know how to help his family except possibly encourage them to leave the country, but he said that his university is also supporting Russian students because they are cut off from supplies from Russia.

I am looking for a job here so I can send them money, but the main problem is that the international bank transfers are banned, Ivanov said.

He said that he thinks the majority of Russian society doesnt care about politics. He said that older generations tend to be indifferent if they are told that everything is OK while younger generations are against current policies.

Ivanov said that Russia needs time to grow in its understanding of international politics and said that it is important for more Russians to understand politics because the current regime is based on the support of the society.

Despite this, Ivanov said he is optimistic that the government will change.

We are running out, not only of Western goods, but we are also running out of food, Ivanov said. So as long as people starving, as long as they hate the government, I guess we still have a chance to change and hope for the best.

Junior computer science major Emily Hannon, who is studying abroad at Czech Technical University, attends a benefit concert atVclavsk Nmstto (Wenceslas Square) to support Ukrainians after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Korotetskyi said that both his mother and father lost their jobs, so there is no family income. He said he thinks that some western countries could prevent wars, but the problem is that the United Nations does not work.

I feel sorry that in the 21st century, the only way to solve conflicts is the war, Korotetskyi said. But I think it is a problem of the world that the United Nations does not work, that no global mechanisms of security work. I even don't know what to think about.

"Im just really disappointed about the whole world security system."

Korotetskyi said that people must provide humanitarian aid while victims of war must evacuate to a safe place. He said he thinks that Russia will not stop until the end.

I just want people to stay in love and dont kill each one because of some stupid ideas, some of geopolitics and of some history. We have to build history, but by ourselves, and stay in peace, Korotetskyi said. I never really understood the true meaning of the word peace until it touched my family, so I wish everyone merely the peace."

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'Hope that the war will end': Ukrainian, Russian students in Czech Republic speak on worries, hopes - NSM.today