The tragedy of the Russian invasion of Ukraine has impacted the world as the humanitarian crisis evolves and worsens daily.

In professional and personal ways, San Diego Community Newspaper Group has a connection to Ukraine. The media company outsources most of its page and ad design to Design2Pro, which has a production center in Eastern Europe with many of the graphic designers located in Ukraine.

“It’s so tragic and heartbreaking to witness this horrific act of violence unfold,” said Julie Main, owner and publisher of San Diego Community Newspaper Group. “Having a working connection with these guys makes us anxious about their safety and well-being. We hope and pray for an end to this in-humane invasion and crimes against humanity.”

Ira, who designs Beach & Bay Press, La Jolla Village News, and Peninsula Beacon, lived in Kyiv with his family as of earlier this week. He was there with his son, daughter, and 6-year-old granddaughter. At first, they didn’t evacuate and hid in the basement of their home during the bombings.

“It is very cold in the basement and there is not enough space,” Ira wrote in an email. “Then we decided that it was more dangerous there than in the apartment, and we moved to the densest walls in the apartment, on the floor. We barricaded the window with boxes and things, and removed the glass doors from their hinges.”

Ira and his family were living every day in fear. He said it is difficult to concentrate on anything and think in general. He speaks highly of his homeland, describing the Ukrainian people as invincible and “strong and spirit, all united.” He is proud of his daughter’s husband who is fighting in the Ukrainian army.

He and his family have since evacuated and are now in Romania.

“Here I am complaining to Ira that a photo credit is in the wrong font, and he and his family are dodging missiles,” said Thomas Melville, editor of Beach & Bay Press, La Jolla Village News, and Peninsula Beacon. “I have no idea how he worked during the invasion, but he did. These Ukrainians are just made different – they’re tough. I’m relieved he and his family members made it to Romania.”

Michael Kurov, who is the owner of Design2Pro, was born in Russia and currently lives in Santa Barbara. He is keeping in constant contact with his employees overseas.

“I know them for a very long time,” Kurov said. “Some of them have worked for us for almost 20 years. A lot of people I know personally, and I know their families. When you work with someone for such a long time, you get to know them well.”

He has accounted for all but one person out of the 52 employees in Ukraine.

“Only one person disappeared, which is kind of scary – it’s really scary,” said Kurov. “He’s actually from Poland, [he’s a] designer, but he went to Ukraine for his family to bring them back right before it started and we cannot get into contact with him for a whole week.”

All other Design2Pro employees are still working despite the chaos. Kurov is attempting to help them and their families evacuate to safer locations.

“We’re trying to organize an evacuation from the areas affected the most – eastern parts of the country – to places where people will be safe,” he explained. “We’ve organized some places in Moldova… and western parts of the country that I expect are not going to be affected as much as the eastern parts of the country.”

Kurov acknowledged that it’s hard to predict anything in a time of war but he guesses that western Ukraine is safer than the eastern regions. A large barrier is that men aged 18-60 are not allowed to leave the country.

“Places like Poland and Moldova are out of reach for them so that’s why Lviv is the best possible solution as of right now,” he said. “So people are slowly moving because of the huge line and it’s dangerous to go there because it’s war and they can get shot somewhere along the way. But luckily, one by one, family by family they are able to get there, but a lot of people got stuck in dangerous areas.”

Kurov didn’t expect the Russian invasion to happen.

“It’s 2022, and we basically went back to World War II and World War I,” he said. “It’s crazy, it’s not supposed to be like this.”