Our city Kupiansk, Kharkiv region, was occupied two days after the start of the greatwar. I lived with my four children in our beautiful private house in the middle of the city. I have three daughters - 17, 10, 9 years old and a 3-year-old son. We went to live with my father in his house.

Very soon, the Russian military came to us and called us "Ukro Nazis." They came toour house often, ransacked the house, took something. Four times we tried toleave occupied territory with the children. We were almost shot once. At the Russian checkpoint, the Russian soldiers called us traitors and lined up in aforest lane. And then their walkie-talkie rang, they got distracted and told usto get away. So we returned to the occupied city again.

Kupyansk was liberated in September 2022. Many of my friends have disappeared. The city wason fire. We lived with my father in his house. The shelling of the city beganand continues to this day. 70% of our city is now in ruins. Two Russian shell sarrived at my house. It was completely destroyed, all our things were burned there. Father's house is on the outskirts, it was fired upon, but notdestroyed. My father lives there and helps the Ukrainian military, preparesfood and repairs cars.

My children and Ileft native town and went to Kharkiv. Friends found an apartment for us, we payonly for utilities. Social assistance for displaced persons has not yet beenreceived.

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