Elena and her children were preparing for a normal day, planning to go to school. But on February 24, 2022, there were sirens and danger loomed over their hometown of Polohy. With the first explosions, Olena went down to the basement with the children. There, paint started to fall from the walls because of the racket. Ukrainian soldiers were already shooting at the enemy near their house. The woman clearly heard almost every shot. Olena's children caught colds and felt unwell due to the cold and unsuitable basement. Electricity and cell service quickly disappeared in the city. And already in March 2022, the city of Polohy was occupied by the russians. Olena and her children had to flee to the territory controlled by Ukraine.