Svitlana Puhachova had always believed that the central market in Nikopol was probably the safest place in the city. It was always crowded with people, so it seemed unlikely that the Russians would dare strike there. But on 26 December 2024, a Russian FPV drone dropped an explosive device directly onto the city market. Svitlana was standing closest to the blast. The explosion tore off her leg, and from that moment on, her family’s life was divided into “before” and “after”.

Her husband, Maksym, recalls seeing his wife under anaesthesia. He remembers how difficult it was to explain to their daughter, Anastasiia, that her mum would come home changed. 

Despite losing her leg, Svitlana refused to let the tragedy break her. She went through a long rehabilitation, took up swimming, won a medal at her very first competition, and later added gym workouts to her training routine. She says that staying active is what helps her overcome the pain and feel free again.

After the relentless attacks on Nikopol, the family was forced to leave their home and relocate to Kharkiv. 

After losing her leg, the woman’s greatest dream was to see the mountains with her family – and that dream came true during her rehabilitation. Through their story, the Puhachov family want to remind the world of the price Ukrainians pay every day for the right to live, and why the crimes of this war must never be ignored.