Stories that you confided to us
Before the war our house was in good condition. Now it has got some cracks and some plaster is coming off. When the shells were flying, the foundation was just settling down. My house was shaking and rocking.
In 2015, it was scary and we were running away and hiding in the cellars. But I stayed in the cellar once and then said: ‘Mom, I will not go there again. What will happen, will happen, because my children’s health is more important for me.’ It is damp there. I don’t wish it to anyone to go there.
Everything was flying above the house. That is what we saw with our own eyes. We don’t know where it was flying from and where to… We are not the snipers, we don’t know.
In 2015 or 2014 we were standing at our neighbours’ place, near the nut tree. A shell flew by and landed further down the street. There were three of them flying by. We were watching it all and my kid even started running. I said: ‘Where? Back!’ I was shocked. It was just unexpected, very unexpected. But nevertheless, we did not hide anywhere because what was the point of hiding? As they say, if it is destined, it will fall [on you] no matter where you hide. It is useless.
When it happened first, there was panic. There was a very strong panic because everything was just flaring above the house. The moon did not shine so bright like everything was shining here. I cannot describe it. Such a bright illumination, flashes of light. It was terrible. The first time, I felt a very strong panic. And the second time, I was more or less calm. We just sat down near the wall inside the house and waited the shelling out. And that was it.
I worked as a watchperson, but now I am on my maternity leave. I am a painter and plasterer by profession, but I do not work in my profession because I have rheumatism. I borrow some money and then get the child care payments and pay the debts back. This is how we live. I can cut a chicken and we can at least have some meat. And there is no need to go and buy any semi-finished food. We don’t buy semi-finished food.
I have two kids and I am happy. I was diagnosed with infertility. I tried some treatment course then. I made another medical check and then it was God’s will.
I love these little ones very much. Sometimes I can raise my voice and sometimes I can even spank them, especially the elder one. Nevertheless, they are my lovely kids. Sometimes, when I go to bed at night, I pray to God and say: ‘God, if you really are, please protect these little kids. I have seen this life. I am going closer to my old age, while they have not seen much of this life yet.’ Every night when I go to bed, I pray for them.
When quoting a story, a reference to the source – the Museum of Civilian Voices of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation – is mandatory, as follows:
The Museum of Civilian Voices of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation https://civilvoicesmuseum.org/
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