On March 8, 2022, a russian airstrike hit a house in Mariupol where Marharyta Hariaha’s family and friends – 12 people in total – were gathered. They were preparing to leave the city when a powerful explosion occurred. Marharyta and her mother Iryna were dug out by neighbours from the street. They were taken to hospital.

After being injured, seven-year-old Marharyta could not see for almost two days. Her mother suffered a fracture, bruises to almost all her organs, severe contusion and a head injury. She was constantly losing consciousness. In the hospital, the mother and daughter were almost wounded a second time! The shelling continued nearby, and glass shards flew all over the ward.

A few days later, Marharyta and Iryna were taken to a bomb shelter. For a long time, both of them kept hoping that other family members had been rescued. So they searched for their relatives. 

Only after leaving Mariupol did they find out: only three of the people in the house survived – Marharyta, her mother and her older brother’s girlfriend. In 2022, Margo and her mother testified about their experiences. A criminal investigation was opened into the deaths of all family members.

Marharyta agreed to be interviewed by the Museum of Civilian Voices to preserve her testimony. She also wanted her story to be heard by others: to support children who, like her, are living through war.