As the conflict in the Ukraine intensifies, a Hudson Valley woman with loved ones in areas under siege is sharing her family’s experience during the overnight attacks.

First-generation Ukrainian American Oksana Tomaszewsky lives in Cortlandt Manor and watched in horror as the crisis in her parents’ homeland unfolded.

“We’ve gotten through the tears and the anger, and we just can’t believe that it’s happening. It’s devastating because we have fought …and we never thought his escalation would be throughout the Ukraine," she says.

Tomaszewsky has cousins, nieces and nephews overseas – some in areas under attack.

Tomaszewsky is in constant contact with her Ukrainian family by phone, text and email.

She says, for now, they’re safe and trying to stay calm while fearful of what Russian President Vladimir Putin has in store.

“We never trusted that he was going to completely go away, and I think it is horrifying at the level of escalation that Putin has put upon Ukraine," she says.

“It really could be the start of World War III, and it’s unbelievable," she says.

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney is condemning the Russian-led attacks.

He’s in Europe meeting with allied leaders as a member of the House Intelligence Committee.

In a phone press briefing, Maloney said the toughest sanctions possible should be imposed – and hinted at possible U.S. military involvement.

“We must make Russia pay an unbearable price for this barbaric act," he said. “Everything is being threatened by this barbaric action by Russia. Thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of people are going to pay with their lives for this insanity.”