Fearing for his family’s safety, Sofia’s father moved his family from the capital Kyiv to a less-dangerous region of Ukraine on the first day of the war. He later returned to Kyiv and immediately went to the military enlistment office, vowing to defend his family and his country from the Russian enemy. During his military service, he was only able to come home on a few occasions – and it was these moments where the family were at their happiest, feeling as they had before the terrible war began.

Their happy memories together would not last.

In July of 2022, Sofia’s mother received a call from an unknown number. The voice at the other end informed her that her husband had been killed during a combat mission on the battlefield. Sofia’s father perished in the line of duty.

Since his death at the hands of the invaders, much has changed but the family has remained united as they believe that their dad and husband is still with them. Sofia, now 14-years-old, is passionate about videogames and comics and enjoys drawing anime characters in her free time.