Tetiana Kovalenko is a native of Hola Prystan, Kherson region. She and her husband survived the horrors of the occupation, which lasted almost a year. The situation became critical when, during shelling, Tetiana’s husband was almost shot dead by the russian military for no reason. Tetiana’s children, who lived in Odesa, were constantly worried about their parents and urged them to leave the dangerous region. A key moment for Tetiana was the explosion of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station, which led to a rapid rise in water levels. The couple had to sit on the roof until they were rescued by people in a boat!

The couple spent two weeks in a kindergarten and then received an invitation from kind people who provided them with temporary accommodation. Later, the Kovalenkos moved to Odesa. Here they are trying to adapt to their new life, but their hearts remain in Hola Prystan. The interview with Tetiana was recorded at the Humanitarian Hub.