This is the story of a 19-year-old young woman from Mykolaiv who faced the explosions of war early on and was forced to move through several cities in search of safety. Today she lives in Vinnytsia, studies, works, and dreams of becoming a journalist to tell the world the truth about the lives of Ukrainians. Her journey is about the strength to adapt, to hold on to faith in the future, and to search for meaning despite fear and a rapidly changing world.
🎥 Video story
🟦 1. WHO IS VICTORIA
Victoria is a 19-year-old girl from Mykolaiv. She experienced the beginning of the full-scale war at home, the first explosions without shelter, and several forced relocations in search of safety. Today Victoria lives in Vinnytsia, studies, works, and dreams of journalism — to honestly show the life of Ukraine to the world.
💬 “I just want to live and enjoy life. And I do, because no one knows what tomorrow will bring.”
🟩 2. BEFORE THE WAR
Before 2022, Victoria lived in Mykolaiv and studied at college. She was active: performing on stage, singing, and dancing. She remembers her family as friendly and energetic — where everyone supported each other and thought about the future.
💬 “I remember we were cheerful, always full of energy. If something happened, everyone supported each other… Before the war, no one knew what would happen next, but we thought about the future. And now we live one day at a time.”
💬 “At college, I performed on stage a lot: singing and dancing.”
🟥 3. THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR
Victoria remembers the morning of February 24 very clearly. Her mom woke her up for the documents, and later her dad told her to get ready and wake up her younger sister — that’s when she realized the war had begun.
💬 “I fell asleep an hour before the full-scale invasion — at three in the morning. At four, everything started… At seven my dad woke me up and said to get dressed because the war had begun and to wake up my sister. I had a strong panic attack — for about thirty minutes I couldn’t calm down.”
🟧 4. FIRST EXPLOSIONS AND LIFE WITHOUT SHELTER
For the first two days, the family stayed in the city. Victoria heard the first explosions on the evening of February 25. They lived in a private house — with no basement — which made the fear stronger.
💬 “On the evening of the 25th, I heard the first explosions.”
💬 “We lived in a private house. There was no basement.”
Victoria recalls her parents’ reactions: her dad stayed as calm as possible, and her mom had a very hard time.
💬 “Dad kept a clear mind, but you could see in his eyes that he was nervous. Mom was very down. We had to make her eat for two days — she didn’t want anything.”
🟦 5. EVACUATION AND THE ROAD
The family left in a hurry — with the minimum of belongings. First, her dad took Victoria, her mom, and her sister to Novyi Buh. Then there were returns and further relocations. One of the stages was living in Odesa.
💬 “Yes, we left with one suitcase. It had my things, my mom’s, and my sister’s. Dad stayed in Mykolaiv. He took us to Novyi Buh — his hometown…”
💬 “Fifty-fifty… It was simply the first place we could take us.”
🟪 6. EDUCATION DURING THE WAR
After the invasion began, education practically stopped — many families had other priorities: safety and life preservation. Only later did online classes partially resume.
💬 “Everyone was thinking about how to keep the children safe, not about studies. Toward the end of the school year, online classes were partially restored.”
🟦 7. A NEW LIFE IN VINNYTSIA
Victoria came to Vinnytsia to change the rhythm of her life, regain the feeling of moving forward, and to have in-person education.
💬 “I came to Vinnytsia to somehow change my life, not to live only with the war and news. I wanted in-person education… And I really didn’t want online.”
A separate experience for Victoria was growing up without her parents nearby and making decisions independently.
💬 “At first it was very difficult. I was used to having my parents nearby to help physically, not only emotionally. Then I got used to it. I grew up and now I solve my problems on my own.”
🟨 8. SILENCE THAT SCARES
In the quieter city, it was hard for Victoria to adapt: any sharp sound caused panic. She says her body long “remembered” the explosions, and sometimes this reaction returns.
💬 “When I arrived in Vinnytsia, any sharp sound caused panic — I didn’t know what to do with myself.”
💬 “Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night because it seems like an explosion sounded in my head. There’s no alert — it’s just the body’s reaction. The brain remembered those sounds, and it reacts that way.”
🟪 9. WHAT HELPS HER HOLD ON
Victoria relies on everyday anchors: studying, work, and books. She works as a sales consultant — her first job. Reading helps her distract herself, especially detective stories.
💬 “I also work.”
💬 “As a sales consultant. This is my first profession.”
💬 “Yes, books save me… Detective stories.”
🟨 10. FAMILY AND DAD — “A HERO”
Victoria’s dad is in the military. She admits it was very difficult to cope with. Her parents protect her mental state and do not share details, and they stay in touch whenever possible.
💬 “No one can calmly accept the news that your dad is at war… But neither my dad nor my mom talk about what’s happening to him. They protect my mental health.”
💬 “Dad. He was my hero even before the full-scale invasion…”
Victoria also remembers her younger sister: even at five years old, the child understood it was not fiction.
💬 “We said it was ‘aliens.’ And she replied: ‘No, it’s a bomb.’”
🟦 11. MYKOLAIV IN HER HEART
Reading the news about her hometown hurts Victoria deeply. She dreams that after the victory, Mykolaiv will recover and become a living city again — filled with laughter and normal life.
💬 “When I read the news about my city, it hurts a lot.”
💬 “I want Mykolaiv to come back to life after the victory… so that children’s and people’s laughter can be heard there again…”
🕊️ 12. VICTORIA’S VOICE FOR THE WORLD
Victoria chose journalism and wants to speak the truth about Ukraine — through people’s stories and real life. Her important request is for adults to pay attention to children: they feel everything.
💬 “Pay attention to how children react to events around them. They feel everything, even if they don’t show it. You can always see it in their eyes.”
💬 “I want no one to be afraid and for everyone to live in peace and harmony.”
🟧 13. PHOTO GALLERY
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