HOW DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE WAR?

How do you understand the word “war”? War means…?

War is devastation, was is grief or misfortune.

Did you happen to see hostilities with your own eyes?

Yes, I saw it with my own eyes. My one-year-old child and I heard some shell explosions and saw military actions.

What did you talk about with your family and neighbours during active hostilities?

Surely, everyone wanted it all to stop. Firstly, we were unable to do anything properly, and secondly, we had a very small baby. We just left, going to the centre of the country where there were no hostilities.

Did you have a relocation?

Yes, we did. We moved.

In 2014?

Yes.

Do you remember how that relocation happened?

When helicopters began to fly above the city, we started packing things up. We had everything inside our bags: documents and all the essentials. We kept them near the entrance door.

What do you remember the most from the experience you went through during the war?

We remember the tanks in Mariupol and shelling overhead. Thank God, we were not living in the epicentre of those events. For example, in Skhidnyi micro-district that was hit by shelling. We realized that this would be an unsafe place.

Have you returned to Mariupol?

Yes, we live in Mariupol. On the one hand, we have returned, and on the other hand, we understand that we live on a powder keg. The same as before.

What changes has the war brought into your life?

Changes are fear. There has never been such fear.

Do you feel safe now?

No.

What would help you feel safe now?

I don’t even know. I think it could be unity as it used to be before.

The absence of the military conflict would help.

Yes, of course, I agree with you.

What is happiness for you?

Happiness? When there is no war, when children are healthy, and everything is fine for everyone.

Do you dream about anything?

Most importantly, I dream of seeing my child staying healthy, of my family being happy. This is my happiness. And that is all.

Has your attitude to life changed because of the war?

Yes. In addition to wishing happiness to my family I want to see peace: so that there are no wars and no bomb explosions.

What did you learn while overcoming all those difficulties you told us about?

Cohesion, unity in the family. Our attitude to each other changed.

Please tell us whether you received any humanitarian aid?

No, never.

Have you heard that some organizations or individuals…?

Yes, we saw it on TV.

What organizations have you heard the most about?

The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation.