CLEVELAND — It has been more than nine months since Russia invaded Ukraine. The country claims Russia continues to attack its power grid, leaving many civilians in the dark and cold as winter sets in.

"We found this bomb shelter," she said, looking at a video. "So in some time, this under the church, like (a) basement."

Dobronos and her son, Andrii, found their way to the United States three months ago, but they still have loved ones back home.

"It's really heart-breaking, because, you know, that part of our families is there and friends, a lot of friends are still in Ukraine," she said.

They are currently staying with distant relatives, who are providing them safety.

"We feel safe here, and this is the main thing," Dobronos said.

While they may be safe, that's not the case for her husband, a former surgeon whose only choice was to stay and fight. This left Andrii with a mixture of feelings.

"I was, like, both scared and proud of him, because, like, that's the only way our independence could be saved," Andrii said.

Dr. Taras Mahlay understands that sentiment. He's a physician at the Cleveland Clinic with Ukrainian heritage who travels back and forth to his home land.

"Actually, I have a cousin which I talked to probably weekly," he said. "She's a physician, and she spent many days in a row in the hospital. And I don't know where she gets the strength."

That strength will continue to be tested as winter settles in and the bombs continue to fall.

"They want to to kill every people and (make) this land like without any Ukrainians and to get whole country," Dobronos said. "So now we are, we are fighting."