- We were standing at the Kharkov railway station: my husband, daughter and me. My husband has a certificate of exemption from military service due to his chronic diseases. And here… my daughter and I are let in, but he isn’t. We have all our clothes in one suitcase and all money is on one banking card. As a result, we left but he stayed at home. With no money he came back to our cold flat where all the glasses had been broken.

***

- Larisa Osipenko was my neighbor. She was a director of kindergarten “The wreath”. My children and I used to visit this place. I remember some years ago doctors told Larisa that she had cancer. She has gone through many chemotherapies and recovered. Some days ago her husband and her were shot. Cancer had mercy on this woman, but the Russian bullet didn’t.

***

- My husband and I have been staying in some people’s house. We help as hard as we can. My husband chips the wood, I work in the garden, wash and cook for the family. I was really happy that our house hadn’t been destroyed and as soon as our city wasn’t occupied, I would come back the same day. Today our neighbor sent us a photo of our house. I saw a part of our roof, crooked windows, and a destroyed wall. I just hid behind the house to cry. I couldn’t tell my husband as he has problems with his heart.

***

- “Fascist” soldier shot my gates, broke my front door and came in. I hid behind the wardrobe, afraid to move. He looked around and whistled: “Damn, it’s beautiful here!” Then he started looking through my drawers and putting our watches, wedding rings and even son’s cross into his pocket.

***

- I will definitely come back to Kharkiv. I have my roses waiting for me there. I will take care of them, enjoy the flowers, then I will get the petals and I will make jam. I will share it with everybody: my neighbors, friends, passers-by. I just need the war to be over…