Halyna Khabarova is a nurse whose story became a symbol of courage and dedication during the war. Before the full-scale invasion, she worked in the surgical department of the hospital in Makariv, saving people's lives every day. When russian tanks entered the town on February 27, 2022, Halyna did not leave the hospital. She stayed at her post to help the wounded. Everyone was brought here: both civilians and soldiers. Once, a severely wounded occupier was brought to the hospital. Halyna describes this difficult moment in detail.

When the situation in Makariv worsened, the hospital was forced to evacuate the patients. Halyna helped evacuate people while Russian shelling continued around them. At the hospital, Halyna was not only a nurse; she also cooked food for Ukrainian soldiers, trying to create at least a bit of a homely atmosphere in the conditions of war. After the active fighting ended, Halyna became part of a military medical team. And then she returned to civilian life, to the city hospital.

Since the time of the occupation, Mrs. Halyna has kept a bottle of champagne, which was given to her by the defenders of Makariv on March 8, 2022.  The nurse says she will open it after the war ends. For her, it is a symbol of hope for Ukraine’s victory, for the belief that after all the trials, life will go on, and people will once again be able to celebrate peace and joy.