True stories from Chernihiv that shouldn't have happened

Hello.

My name is Olha, a 23-year-old Ukrainian who was forced to leave Ukraine due to the War that Russian President V.Putin started.

I know for sure that you have heard about this horrible situation and definitely saw photos from Mariupol, Chernihiv, Irpen, Kharkiv etc.

But today I want to tell just two short stories from two separate families from Chernihiv whose lives were destroyed by russian bombs.

So, the first one.

I want to introduce to you a 27-year-old guy with cerebral palsy — Maksim Us. Despite his diagnosis, he always wanted to live a life full of opportunities and feelings. Since his 18 y.o. he chose running instead of mountains of pills.

And, you know, he made the right choice.

In 2020, Maksim proved to every person who did not believe in him, who claimed him as “an invalid” that he is the winner! He ran 100 km for 11 hours and 39 minutes and was the only one with a disability who ran the ultramarathon. Maksim dedicated his exploit to own family — wife Eugenia and son Dmytro, a pretty autistic boy.

Unfortunately, Dima won’t be able to be proud of his dad anymore. He died from penetrating head injury caused by destruction of their house due to Russian bomb on 16th March 2022.

Eugenia, Maksim`s wife, is in a critical condition so only God knows whether she is going to live or not.

Does Maksim deserve this? I guess no. The same as any family in Ukraine who has their own hopes, plans, traditions, beliefs and feelings. I cannot imagine what Maksim`s new life is going to look like.

Ready to read the next one?

This story is about Svitlana Zheldak — a young beautiful woman from Chernihiv who works in the beauty industry. My mom knows her in person and always tells me stories about Svitlana’s family.

She has an amazing 21-year-old daughter, 14-year-old son and beloved husband. I know that they have been planning a wedding of Svitlana`s daughter for a few months. It should be in spring when the weather is warm and pleasant so the bride can wear a light stunning dress to impress his fiancé and to memorize this moment forever.

Now, this dress together with wedding plans, Svitlana`s son, husband, grandma and daughter are buried under the ruins of their own house that was mercilessly demolished by Russian bombs on 3rd March 2022. I cannot imagine that emotional trauma.

Her life, THEIR life was stolen by blind bastards that invaded Ukraine and continue to destroy our homes, hospitals, maternity hospitals, theaters, schools and crucial infrastructural facilities but not our SOULS!

I wanna mention articles about these horrors below but they are written in Ukrainian language.

About Maksim here and about Svitlana here

If you want to provide support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, I give you a link where all bank details are provided Link.

I will attach a photo of Svitlana`s destroyed house and some pictures from Chernihiv.

Be strong and stay safe.