On the night of February 24, the Norwegian-Ukrainian’s life was turned upside down. The invasion of Ukraine was underway.
There were reports of artillery fire and explosions over the cities of Kyiv and Kharkiv.
At the same time, Aastap Pasternak woke up to a phone call from his mother.
– She cried at the other end. It was impossible to sleep any more that night. I was just lying in bed reading the news. I have a constant inner turmoil that does not go away.
Timeline: This has happened in Ukraine
– We are one
The 27-year-old has lived his last six years in Oslo, but was born and raised in Gjøvik with his Ukrainian parents.
He is both a Norwegian and a Ukrainian citizen. And very proud.
– We are united as one unit. We are one, and we help each other. It’s completely insane. I have never been more proud to be from Ukraine, he says to Dagbladet.