Before the full-scale invasion, Iryna and her husband lived in the Kalmius district of Mariupol. At the end of February 2022, there was no water and light, so the eldest son Artur offered to move to the house of an acquaintance in the Central district, believing that it would be safer in the city center. There was also hope for a "green corridor" and evacuation. 

But on March 14, a tragedy occurred. During an airstrike on a nearby house, Artur was killed by a blast wave. Iryna and her younger son, who was seriously injured, were hospitalized. 

"After the murder of Artur, daughter-in-law Nadia with my grandson and my husband returned to my house in the village of Volonterivka, on March 15, another tragedy occurred there. When Nadia was sitting near the window, there was a shelling of the house. Her head was torn apart," said Iryna, a resident of Mariupol.