Kyiv

Kyiv oblast was one of the first regions hit by Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine on 24th February, 2022. Kyiv Oblast is made up of many towns and villages on the outskirts of the capital city, Kyiv. Much of this region was occupied by the Russians right at the beginning of March, 2022, following massive bombardment and widespread destruction inflicted by the Russian military. By the end of April 2022, the region was liberated by the Ukrainian military, much to the joy of the Ukrainian people. Large parts of the region were completely destroyed by the Russians, not just the buildings and infrastructure, but the bodies and souls of the citizens as well.

Borodianka is one of these towns in the Bucha region of Kyiv oblast, 30 miles Northwest of the capital, Kyiv. Most people in Borodianka owned farms, with many animals and large areas of cultivated land. Despite humanitarian corridors being established, it is unclear how many managed to escape. Roads into and out of the town are littered with burnt out cars and vehicles. Borodianka was heavily shelled by Russian rockets on 1^st of March 2022 and as a result, eight large apartment buildings were completely destroyed and many people were killed. When the apartment blocks were hit by rockets, locals wanted to launch a rescue operation to find people who were buried under the rubble, both those buried alive and the dead. The Russian soldiers refused to allow anyone to dig through the rubble, or even to bury the dead. It wasn’t until the Borodianka was liberated by the Ukrainian military that the locals were able to search for the bodies of those who had died in the destroyed buildings. This meant that even those who survived the shelling, died under the rubble. 

The Russian occupiers forced their way into civilian houses where they set up bases for their soldiers. Any remaining residents were either killed or forced out of their homes into basements. The occupiers killed the animals for food, stole all the canned food from peoples kitchens and drank all the homemade wines. All the while, the locals were hiding in dark, cold basements with no food, light, warmth or medicines. Those remaining in Borodianka were at the mercy of the Russians and could do nothing without prior permissions. To step foot outside their basements without permission would mean being shot on the spot. Residents couldn’t even go out to use the bathroom or to find food without permission. The Russian soldiers destroyed everything they possibly could leaving a trail of destruction wherever they went.

When the Ukrainian military successfully launched a counter offensive and liberated the Kyiv region, residents of Borodianka were deeply relieved, but the reality was that this nightmare was not going to disappear with the Russian soldiers. There were no shops, pharmacies, or clinics that were functioning. All the farm animals had been killed, food stores had been stolen or eaten, their houses were destroyed and most had lost multiple family members. Volunteers from across Europe started to arrive in Borodianka and began building temporary shelters for families on their farm land. This meant families could stay together at home and begin the slow and painful process of rebuilding out of the ashes. 

A year later, there are still no shops, pharmacies or clinics in Borodianka. Residents are forced to travel into the city to buy basic food items and medicine. With the majority of remaining residents being the elderly, travelling into the city is near impossible because of mobility and lack of finances. The people are suffering greatly. 

Our partner from a local organisation in Ukraine, SEM (Shidno Evropejska Misija) and a small group of volunteers from across Ukraine gathered together to respond to the desperate needs of people in Borodianka and the surrounding villages. The team purchased food, medicines and essential items, loaded the supplies into 3 vans, and drove to Borodianka. For The One was able to provide the funds to cover the cost of the medicines and fuel for delivery. Medications were purchased to meet specific needs in the town and surrounding villages, these included tablets for chronic conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, sedatives, painkillers, cold and flu tablets and first aid items such as bandages. A total of 40 people received critical food packages and medicines. 

While Zsolt and his team were in Kyiv oblast, they had the privilege of visiting 20 families in Borodianka and the surrounding villages. All of these families had lost at least one family member as a direct result of the war and subsequent occupation. The families here find comfort in one another, united by their shared, harrowing experiences. No words are needed to explain the horrors of what each person has experienced, they all know.

One lady who received a food package shared what had happened to her neighbours during the Russian occupation. The family, a mother, father and their adult son, had lived in a nice house in Borodianka. When the Russians entered the town they moved into this families house, destroying all their possessions, taking all of their food, alcohol and farm animals. The family were forced to live in the basement and could only leave when the Russians allowed them to. One day the Russians, who were living in their house, opened the basement door and ordered the family to come out into the yard. The Russian soldiers were waiting for them with their guns, ready to shoot. The woman (mother) thought that they would all be killed but instead the Russians shot and killed their son and left both parents alive. Not only did these parents watch as their son was executed in front of their eyes, but they were refused permission to bury him. So deep is the trauma, the mother is no longer mentally stable and she rarely leaves her house. Whenever the neighbours/receive food donations or other essential items, they ensure that they take supplies to this mother and father. They care very deeply for one another and won’t let anyone go without. 

One lady receiving food and medicine support told Zsolt and his team that her husband and son had both died while fighting to liberate the Kyiv region in the first months of the war. This lady was deeply grateful for the support as it had been extremely difficult for her to sustain herself alone. This is a horrifying painful reality for many of the women and families who remain in Borodianka. 

The people were deeply touched and grateful to have received this help in the midst of such hardship and heartache. It is shocking that even after a year, of liberation, people are still suffering form the lack of basic food, goods and medicines. Every penny given to help the beautiful people of Ukraine means so much. Not only are the team able to meet a physical need in providing much needed food and medicines, but they also take something much greater, hope. The team met people wherever they were however they came, and offered them friendship, love and hope.