Kyrylo, who is now 4 years old, was the best birthday present his father could have asked for, as they were both born on July 23. For the first three years of Kyrylo’s life, they celebrated their birthdays together at the family dinner table in their hometown of Mariupol. However, when the war broke out, Kyrylo’s father joined the fight to defend Ukraine against the Russian enemy. In 2022, the young boy celebrated his 4th birthday with only his mother by his side.

Kyrolo’s father bravely and loyally defended his hometown in the territory of Azovstal, but he was tragically killed in an enemy air strike. Even though Kyrylo is still quite young, he remembers his father as a friendly, cheerful, and gentle man. Currently, Kyrylo and his mother live in Vinnytsia, but they yearn to return to their beloved hometown of Mariupol, as it holds a special place in their hearts. Without it, life is difficult, sad, and painful.