From Ukraine: Childhood under aggression

When the war started, Halyna could not understand what was happening. Still asleep, she heard powerful explosions and woke her husband up.

They put aside important documents and belongings, thinking the explosions would end soon. Then more explosions followed so they decided to leave.

It was difficult to find transportation. Taxi drivers were refusing to give them a ride to the closest subway station even for a lot of money. An hour later, they finally found a driver who took them to the subway.

Halyna, her son, husband, and mother-in-law stayed in an underground parking lot in a village in the Kyiv region.

During the first days in the cold shelter Bohdan was begging to go back home. He did not want to eat or sleep. A few days later, he started calling this place his new home.

Safety fears

Halyna fears for her son's safety.

She calms him down by telling him about their future trip to the sea. To distract themselves, they go for a walk during the day and feed local dogs. In the evenings, they draw and hug each other.

Every morning Halyna has the same thoughts

"I am so happy I woke up. I look at the people who stay with us in the shelter. The war united us all."

• Follow the link to read the full story in the original publication in Ukraine world: “The son has learned new words: ‘boom’ and ‘scared”, Halyna, 29, the Kyiv region  Reader discretion is advised.