KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The ongoing war in Ukraine has profoundly affected the lives of its citizens, leading to significant loss and hardship, yet their resilience and hope remain unyielded. Through personal narratives, the impact of this conflict can be vividly illustrated.
Tetiana Khimion, 47, hails from Sloviansk in the Donetsk region, where she once thrived as a ballroom dance teacher and international judge. Khimion's world of competitions transformed drastically when she became a sniper in the Ukrainian army. Her journey to the front came after her husband, who enlisted early in the conflict, encouraged her to reconsider. However, her determination to serve was resolute. Training in Europe and adapting to her new role, Khimion embraces the unique blend of creativity and mathematics that sniping requires. Despite her circumstances, she expresses concern for her two grown sons, wishing to shield them from the horrors of war.
Oksana Osypenko, 43, a secondary school teacher from Chernihiv, had been nurturing dreams of family life with her husband, Oleksandr, and their sons, Davyd and Hlib. Their aspirations shattered on March 3, 2022, when a Russian airstrike claimed the life of Oleksandr, who was serving in the territorial defense. The family's agony compounded as they waited weeks before learning of his death. Oksana reflects on a year and a half of hope, where she clung to the possibility that Oleksandr would return, while their 5-year-old son Hlib slowly grasps the finality of his father's absence.
Liliia, 30, found herself entwined in the harsh realities of war when her boyfriend, Bohdan, a member of the Azov Brigade, was captured during the conflict. Their relationship formed before the war on a dating app, evolving into a deep bond as Bohdan fought against Russian aggression. Sentenced to 18 years in a Russian prison, Bohdan’s plight weighs heavily on Liliia, who attends weekly rallies in support of prisoners of war. The strain of maintaining her art in dance and theater contrasts with her inner turmoil as she copes with the uncertainty of his fate.
Ruslan Knysh, at 20, emerged from the war as a veteran. He was just 16 when the invasion began on February 24, 2022, witnessing the turmoil unfold from his balcony in Selydove. Wounded in a drone attack last October, Knysh lost both arms and legs, yet his spirit remains intact as he seeks rehabilitation and new prostheses in the United States. He navigates his trauma with dark humor and a commitment to understanding Ukraine’s history, reflecting on the weight of his struggles but also hinting at the possibility of fate having its own design.
Yaroslav Nehoda, 40, faced immense personal tragedy when a Russian drone strike on October 22 killed his wife, daughter, and niece. His daughter, Adelina, was only six months old at the time. Living in a temporary home in the Kyiv region, he grapples with the dual existence of cherishing memories and attempting to build a future, despite feeling overwhelmed by grief.
Ivan Khmelnytskyi, 25, transitioned from a customer service role to becoming a sergeant in the State Emergency Service, primarily dealing with the aftermath of missile and drone strikes. As the conflict has progressed, he’s adapted to the relentless nature of his work, living in a state of constant alertness and emotional fatigue while emphasizing the normalization of violence in Ukraine, which no one desires.
Liudmyla Shytik, 77, shared her life with her husband Viktor, 78, in Vuhledar, where a sudden airstrike led to their forced relocation. Uprooted multiple times since the war's escalation, they now find themselves in social housing near Kyiv, uncertain of what the future holds. Despite the chaos that has upended their lives, Shytik remains determined to focus on her family and shows an unwavering spirit by affirming, “We will live; we are not going to die.”
This collection of stories reveals not just the profound loss but also the resilience of the Ukrainian people amidst ongoing conflict.
