Olena did not leave Mariupol at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Every day, the explosions were getting closer to the city center where she lived. Supplies ran out, and she often went out into the city to search and did not recognize familiar streets after enemy bombing. As the dean of the Pryazov University, Olena established contact with students and constantly exchanged useful information. She managed to leave Mariupol only in June 2022.