‘There was a shelling that damaged the roof of our house. We have some animals, some livestock, and it would be a pity to leave them there’

We lived in Kyivskyi district of Donetsk, in private houses sector. There was a shelling that damaged the roof of our house. We had to repair the house. We had no money, and it was cold there in winter. So, we moved here, to Sviatohirsk.

There was rain and snow, all this flew down the walls. A bit more, and the house would have probably collapsed. We go there from time to time. It cannot be left unattended. We go there quite often, as we have some animals, some livestock, and it would be a pity [not to take care of them].

I used to come to Sviatohirsk even before the war. I knew the place well, and we were friends with the lady who is a local resident. So, we came to her. Then, we befriended Kateryna Pavlivna, our neighbour, and started to live together. There are three of us here, living in this house: my husband, myself and Kateryna Pavlivna. We do the housekeeping together. I help, of course. She is an elderly woman. I go shopping, take care of the vegetable plot. We do everything together.

My husband suffered from an accident in the mine. But like all men, he does not want to go to the hospital. Recently, he has had a cerebral accident and hardly walks now. He should apply for a disability group, but he does not want to go to the hospital, as it is hard for him.