Accounts suggest that during the Russian occupation, Ukrainian civilians, like Svitlana Poltavska from Troitske in the Luhansk region, endured severe hardships. Russian soldiers reportedly conducted extensive searches and subjected residents to beatings. Svitlana recalls being told, “Say thank you we are not touching your children. Yet.” Her husband, a State Border Guard Service soldier, was killed in the early days of the invasion, leaving her and their two children under occupation for four months. She describes the occupying forces as exhibiting “total cruelty,” challenging Moscow’s narrative of “saving” the Donbas region.
Svitlana Poltavska In the art studio in Kyiv, Ukraine photo by:Â Dmytro Chayka
Healing Through Creativity
In Kyiv, initiatives like “Alive. True Stories of Love” have emerged, offering art therapy to women who have lost husbands and sons in the war. Participants, many without prior artistic experience, use painting to process their grief and honor their loved ones. The project has engaged over 250 women across Ukrainian cities, with a waiting list of 400, highlighting the profound need for such therapeutic outlets.
Olena Sokalska, the founder of the project ‘She is alive. Love stories photo by: Dmytro Chayka
The Collective Grief, A Nation’s Loss
Estimates suggest that since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, over 70,000 Ukrainian servicemen have been killed, leaving behind countless widows and families. These individuals navigate a complex landscape of mourning, societal expectations, and the challenges of rebuilding their lives amidst ongoing conflict.
Resilience Amidst Adversity
Despite immense personal losses, many Ukrainian women display remarkable resilience. Some have joined the armed forces, driven by a desire to protect their children and homeland. Others find solace and strength in community support and creative expression, underscoring a collective determination that the sacrifices of their loved ones will not be in vain.
About The Author
