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Veronika Sheldahaieva, Chair of the Children’s Creative Council “Voices of Children”, delivered a speech during a closed-door roundtable discussion in the British Parliament on 20th February. The young girl shared with parliamentarians, government officials, diplomats, and human rights advocates about the horrors of the Russian military occupation.
This event was part of a series titled “Echoes of Tragedy: Testimonies of Russia’s War in Ukraine”. On the second anniversary of the large-scale invasion, the Ukrainian delegation sheds light on the devastating consequences of the war.
Veronika’s Testimony
Veronika, a 16-year-old girl, was born in Kherson, where she lived for seven months under the Russian military occupation. Despite the risks, she refused to attend a Russified school and instead led an educational online project.
Eventually, Veronika's family decided to leave. They used metal rafts pulled by motorboats. Remarkably, within half an hour of their departure, a Russian missile struck the very area they had just vacated, sparing the girl and her relatives from harm.
Despite all the horrors I experienced under the military occupation, I hold onto hope. I believe in the world that helps Ukraine, I believe in Ukraine, and I believe in Ukrainian teenagers. We fight, we believe, and we are strong,
In line with what was mentioned earlier, Veronika heads the Children’s Creative Council of the Foundation. According to the girl, she "helps the whole council to stay united and work effectively”.
The day before, Veronika also delivered a speech in the Churchill Room. In addition to her, Oleh Afanasiev shared his experience.
Oleh's Testimony
Oleh, a 17-year-old teenager, resided in the occupied city of Mariupol for a span of two months. In the midst of relentless Russian bombardment, he and his family sought refuge in a basement, eking out survival with scant provisions of food and water.
Oleh’s family miraculously managed to escape: they passed through Russian filtration camps and are now in the territory controlled by Ukraine. They were provided with psychological assistance, However, Oleh’s younger brother’s fear of staying alone has not yet subsided.
I do not want to be afraid anymore. And I do not want other children to be afraid either. After all, thousands of children are still under bombardment, hiding in basements. It’s crucial that they receive help too,
emphasised the teenager.
emphasised the teenager.
It should be noted that Oleh has been experiencing the devastating impact of the war since 2014, as he lived near the front line — in the village of Hnutove in Donetsk oblast (region). This experience is depicted in the documentary film "The Distant Barking of Dogs" where he plays his own character.
The Foundation’s co-founder, Olena Rozvadovska, shared other stories and emphasised the critical need for support: "In Ukraine, there are thousands of children who have lost their loved ones, deprived of attending regular school and the joy of experiencing childhood moments. Our extensive network of psychologists on the ground works tirelessly because the Russian war in Ukraine impacts every child".
Children have contributed to the Ukrainian victory
The large-scale war in Ukraine has been ongoing for nearly two years, and the world no longer closely monitors the events. Therefore, it is essential to continually remind everyone of the actions of the Russian occupiers, particularly concerning Ukrainian children.
The children are excited to realize that they have also contributed to Ukraine's victory. Step by step,
remarked Olha Tymchenko, Head of the Communications Department of “Voices of Children”.
remarked Olha Tymchenko, Head of the Communications Department of “Voices of Children”.
On the final day, 21 February, the delegation will present the film “What Have We Lost”, which was created by teenagers as part of an art therapy course.
From 19 to 21 February, delegations from the Charitable Foundation “Voices of Children”, the Civil Network OPORA, and the International Center for Ukrainian Victory, with the support of the Embassy of Ukraine in the UK, are hosting a series of events in the British Parliament to mark the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The primary aim of these events, collectively titled “Echoes of Tragedy: Narratives of Russia’s War in Ukraine”, is to shed light on the devastating impact of the war, focusing on the experiences of civilians and the genocidal nature of the war.
As part of the events, there will be a screening of a short documentary film titled “What Have We Lost”, created by teenagers from the “Voices of Children” Foundation during an art therapy course. Additionally, there will be a panel discussion where Ukrainian experts and witnesses of war crimes will discuss the experiences of children, the suppression of Ukrainian culture and identity by the Russia in the military occupied territories of Ukraine, and what can be done to bring the Russia to justice for these crimes.
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