Story 5: Lena

During the occupation of Kherson region, Lena helped orphan kids and witnessed them being forcibly deported to Russia. The woman lived near an orphanage, which at that time hosted not many children. Soon, the Russian troops brought 18 more to the place. Lena’s choice was to help the kids in any possible way. So, she started secretly making food for them.

Those 18 new children were abducted by the Russian troops from Snigurivka, Mykolaiv region. They were orphans, too. The Russian occupation regime disregarded the children’s needs and didn’t care for food supplies. Lena was the one who secretly cooked for the orphans. Her daughter even raised funds to buy more candies and supplies for them. Lena said there was a condition to bring food only before 7 pm. After that time, children were forbidden to eat.

As the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated the Kherson region in November, Russians ran away. And they were ordered to take the abducted children with them. The orphans were given only 15 minutes to collect their belongings.

5 children were rescued by Lena’s neighbors through the back door of the orphanage. The rest of the kids, 18, were forcibly put into armored personnel carriers and taken away to the Russian town of Anapa. They are still there.