After the beginning of the full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, the life of Mariia Kotenko, a resident of Enerhodar, turned into a constant struggle for survival. The first days of the war were marked by peaceful protests of the nuclear power plant workers — against allowing the occupiers into the city. But soon russian tanks entered Enerhodar — and the shelling began.

Mariia and her husband lived on the outskirts of the city. The shelling was happening near their house, shells were hitting balconies, fires were breaking out. People hid in the school basement. The couple tried to leave the city three times, and only on the fourth attempt did they succeed. The road was dangerous: mines on the roads, shelling, narrow and damaged routes: "I was very afraid that my husband, who is 71, would drive over a shell or a mine. It was pure horror."

One of the most terrifying moments came when, already on the territory controlled by Ukraine, their convoy came under russian fire. Fortunately, the couple was not harmed. "We were all crying with joy when we finally reached our side. We escaped from hell," Mariia recalls.