He was born in Kabul, fled one war, and was killed by russian bullets in Ukraine, which he sincerely considered his home. Khalid built a family during his twenty years of living in the country, but never received a Ukrainian passport. Although a blue-and-yellow flag flew near his yard in Polohy.

When the full-scale invasion began on February 24, Maryna Kharchenko’s husband did not stand aside. From the first days, Khalid became a volunteer: he collected and delivered food, water, clothing and equipment to checkpoints. Even when russian troops in tanks marked with “Z” occupied the city on March 3, 2022, he continued travelling through the villages, helping local people.

The life of Vaid and Amina’s father came to an end in March 2022. Near a shop, a local young man asked Khalid to give him a lift to his relatives. They drove along Lesi Ukrainky Street, where russian servicemen opened fire on their car. Both were killed.

The man’s body was brought home by a neighbour on an ordinary wheelbarrow, and he had to be buried without documents. His wife, Maryna, managed to escape the occupation with the children. Without any belongings. 

This is an unvarnished story about the loss of the person dearest to her, a home completely destroyed and a grave she saw only in a photograph. But above all, it is a story about the incredible strength to not break and to carry on living.