Mykyta, Maryna, Kristina, Nadiya and Bohdan lived with their grandmother in Sloviansk, in the eastern Donetsk region, when the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began. The region surrounding Sloviansk, experiencing heavy fighting, was too dangerous to flee and the family had to remain. In July of 2022, the children received the tragic news that their loving father had passed away, giving his life to defend Ukraine on the battlefield.
Four-year-old Bohdan is very similar to his father and often looks up to the sky asking if he is there watching over the family. Nadiya remains disciplined and wants her fallen to continue to be proud of her. Maryna and Kristina have taken it upon themselves to take care of their grandmother, ensuring that they keep her company as often as they can. And Mykyta, the oldest of the siblings, vows to defend his country as his father did.
As part of the Fund, the family has since received priority assistance, being enrolled in a variety of support programs. The children currently require art and school supplies, toys, board games and electronics for remote learning.
