On February 24, the war came right to Nataliia’s doorstep — by two o’clock in the afternoon, columns of Russian military vehicles were already on her street in Kherson. She wasn’t afraid to look the occupiers in the eye and ask them what they were doing on her land, and she deliberately greeted them in Ukrainian — rage clouded fear.

The liberation of Kherson became the best birthday gift for her daughter, but after that, the worst began. After retreating, the occupiers began relentlessly shelling the city. Her building was damaged, and Nataliia was forced to leave. Just as before, she sincerely believes in the strength and power of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who will liberate her homeland — because she longs to return home.