What it's like living in Ukraine right now: 'We just want peace'

• Despite denying plans to invade Ukraine, Moscow has deployed approximately 130,000 soldiers, tanks, missiles, and blood supplies to its border with the former Soviet Union.
• In 2014, Russia seized and annexed Crimea, a part of Ukraine.
• A man residing in Ukraine's east informed CNBC that Ukrainians desire peace, but many are readying for military conflict.

The uncertain future of millions of Ukrainians looms as Russian troops and military equipment accumulate at its border, increasing international tensions.

On Tuesday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cautioned that any conflict with Russia would lead to a "complete" war in Europe.

According to NBC News, Moscow has denied any plans to invade neighboring Ukraine, a former Soviet Union territory, but has deployed approximately 130,000 soldiers, tanks, missiles, and fresh blood supplies to the border.

Russia is insisting that Ukraine is never allowed to join the NATO military alliance and wants the organization to withdraw from its presence in Eastern Europe.

Maksym, a Ukrainian residing in Kramatorsk, which is approximately 100 miles from the Russian border, expressed his fear of the escalating tensions in a phone conversation with CNBC. Kramatorsk, located in eastern Ukraine, was seized by pro-Russian separatists in 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. The city was later liberated by government forces.

Maksym stated that they have been residing in the current circumstance for seven years. Approximately 30 to 40% of the population in his city possess emergency kits containing cash, documents, and a full tank of gas in their vehicles. They are prepared.

In the Donbas region, where Kramatorsk is located, over 13,000 people have died due to the ongoing conflict between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists.

‘We lost a part of our lives’

Maksym stated that in the event of a military confrontation, he would relocate to either Kyiv or a western Ukrainian city, such as Lviv or Ivano-Frankivsk.

"Our family has a significant connection to the Russian people, as we have relatives living in Russia, Belarus, and other former Soviet Union countries. In my opinion, Russia aims to restore the Soviet Union," he stated to CNBC.

During the Soviet era in the 20th century, approximately 13% of Ukraine's population, or 3 to 4 million individuals, perished in a famine caused by Joseph Stalin's policies. This tragedy, known as Holodomor, has been recognized as genocide by the European Union.

Russian state TV released documentary footage last year in which Putin referred to the collapse of the union as a "disintegration of historical Russia" that caused a "major humanitarian tragedy" for Russians in newly independent countries, according to Reuters.

Prior to Russia's invasion of Crimea in 2014, many Ukrainians traveled there for their summer holidays.

"Now that we no longer have this place, it feels like we've lost a piece of our lives," he remarked.

Maksym stated, "Since my birth, Crimea was part of Ukraine, and I have always felt that Crimea is Ukraine. However, now it seems like someone has taken one room from your apartment, leaving you with your own space but unable to utilize it. This is unjust."

‘We just want peace’

Analysts at Chatham House revealed during a press briefing on Friday that 24% of Ukrainians surveyed in recent weeks were prepared to physically defend Ukraine, in addition to those who had already enlisted in its expanding volunteer army.

According to Maksym, most people he knows "desire to live in tranquility."

We desire to maintain peace in Ukraine and avoid any hostile actions. However, I am uncertain how to achieve this. Western countries possess skilled individuals who can resolve conflicts, so I hope for a decision that will enable us to lead a contented and healthy existence.

On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the U.S. and its allies are determined to prevent a conflict that is not beneficial to anyone, but warned that America is prepared to inflict severe consequences if Russia continues to invade Ukraine.

Blinken stated on Tuesday that if Putin does not intend war or regime change, Russia should withdraw its troops during talks with Lavrov, according to Reuters.

On Tuesday, Putin stated that the U.S. was utilizing Ukraine as a means to "restrain Russia."

Putin, in an article published by the Kremlin last July, stated that Ukraine had been gradually drawn into a dangerous geopolitical game aimed at turning it into a barrier between Europe and Russia.

— CNBC’s Holly Ellyatt contributed to this article.