Kyrylo is 15 years old. The war forced him to leave his hometown of Druzhkivka in the Donetsk region and, together with his family, follow a path of displacement through the Khmelnytskyi region to the village of Sotysivka in Vinnytsia region. Along this journey are shattered routines, danger, and the experience of growing up during wartime. At the same time, Kyrylo has preserved the ability to think about the future, adapt to new circumstances, and search for his place in a new reality. His story is a testimony to the strength of a teenager learning how to move forward despite loss and uncertainty.
🎥 Video Story
🟦 1. WHO IS KYRYLO
Kyrylo is a 15-year-old boy from Druzhkivka, Donetsk region.
Calm, thoughtful, and responsible, he values structure and clarity — finding comfort in things that make sense.
He thinks deeply and approaches life with quiet determination.
💬 “If someone gives me a task, I’ll help. If I have clear instructions — I’ll do it well, almost perfectly.” — Kyrylo
🟩 2. BEFORE THE WAR
Before the full-scale invasion, Kyrylo lived in Druzhkivka with his family, went to school, and practiced Thai boxing.
💬 “We used to go to the gym and train. It was interesting.”
He loved logical subjects and routine — the quiet rhythm of daily life that gave him stability and peace.
🟥 3. WHEN THE WAR BEGAN
💬 “In 2022, there was panic in the city. Rockets flew over our house — everyone was afraid.”
At first, the family stayed home, hoping the danger would pass.
But when the situation worsened, they packed up and left.
💬 “We decided: if it gets dangerous, we’ll go. And we went.”
🟧 4. THE FIRST MOVES
Their first stop was in the Khmelnytskyi region.
💬 “People there didn’t treat us very well — they called us ‘banderivtsi.’”
Later, the family moved again, settling in Sutiski village in Vinnytsia region, where they have now lived for almost four years.
🟦 5. SCHOOL AND FRIENDS
Kyrylo now studies in the 10th grade.
He enjoys learning when the lessons are structured and the teachers are patient.
💬 “I liked my old class more because I knew everyone. I haven’t really gotten to know the new one yet.”
He keeps in touch with his old friends online.
💬 “Some moved abroad, but we still message each other on Telegram.”
🟪 6. FAMILY AND SUPPORT
Kyrylo lives with his parents, brother, and sisters.
He is the eldest — the one the family can rely on.
💬 “Kyrylo is very responsible. If you leave him home, everything will be fine — he’ll take care of his siblings and the house.” — mother
His calmness helps others stay grounded. The family says he became more mature during their evacuation.
🟨 7. SPORT AND HOBBIES
Kyrylo used to practice Thai boxing, and now he trains at home.
💬 “I can do push-ups, squats, abs… but I need motivation.”
He hopes to return to regular training someday.
💬 “Motivation comes and goes. Discipline is what I need.”
🟦 8. EDUCATION AND THE FUTURE
Kyrylo focuses on subjects that will help him enter university:
💬 “Math, Ukrainian language, history of Ukraine, biology.”
After graduation, he wants to stay in Ukraine and study for a practical, meaningful profession.
💬 “I’ll go either into the police or emergency services — maybe become a firefighter.”
💬 “This is my country. My people live here. I was born here, and I feel comfortable here.”
🟪 9. CHARACTER AND INNER WORLD
Kyrylo is calm and introspective.
He needs order, clarity, and understanding of what to expect — it gives him a sense of stability.
💬 “I don’t like doing things without a plan. When I have a clear task, everything goes well.”
His mother says he has “his own kind of silence” — not detachment, but a way to keep balance.
💬 “That’s just who he is — he processes the world quietly.”
🟨 10. FEELING OF PEACE AND SAFETY
💬 “We are children, not monsters. We have the right to live, to feel, and to have emotions.” — Kyrylo
For him, peace means being able to go outside without fear — knowing the day will end the same way it began: safely.
💬 “My parents are my heroes. They took us away from danger. Now I can live calmly.”
🟦 11. DREAMS AND PLANS
Kyrylo wants to finish school, enter university, and build a future in Ukraine.
He dreams of helping others — through rescue work or public service.
💬 “I want all children to live peacefully. Life itself is what matters most.”
🕊️ 12. KYRYLO’S MESSAGE TO THE WORLD
💬 “We are children, not monsters. We have the right to live, to feel, and to have emotions.”
🟧 13. PHOTO GALLERY
The survey was conducted by the NGO “Network of Civil Society Organizations Supporting Internally Displaced Persons in Ukraine” with the support of the Askold and Dir Foundation, administered by ISAR Ednannia, within the project “Strong Civil Society of Ukraine as a Driver of Reforms and Democracy,” funded by Norway and Sweden. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of the NGO “Network of Civil Society Organizations Supporting Internally Displaced Persons in Ukraine” and does not necessarily reflect the views of the governments of Norway or Sweden, or of ISAR Ednannia.
