Two Yevhens: When a Grandfather Becomes a Whole World
The older Yevhen is 62; the younger is just four. One has already lived a long life, while the other is only beginning his. The boy loves drawing, eagerly explores the world around him, and easily connects with both children and adults. It is as if he is trying to make up for the love he has lacked since birth. Little Yevhen barely knows his mother’s embrace or his father’s care. But every day, his grandfather is there beside him—the person who has become the closest and dearest to him in this big world.
Nearly sixty years separate the two Yevhens. And between them lie Russia’s full-scale war, a burned-down home, the front line, hospitals, court proceedings, moves, and dozens of hardships they have already faced together. The two of them are rebuilding everything from scratch. And along the way, specialists from the Voices of Children Charitable Foundation have been there to support them.
When Russia’s full-scale invasion began, the older Yevhen, then 58, immediately joined the defense of Ukraine. His home village of Tsupivka in the Kharkiv region is just seven kilometers from the Russian border. The house where he had spent much of his life burned down soon afterward.
My call sign was ‘Kozak.’ From the very first day, I got into the van and went to defend Ukraine. I’ve been through all sorts of things: shrapnel flying around, sleeping in the car, sleeping in trenches. I gave a year and a half of my life to defending Ukraine,
But his hardest battle was waiting for him away from the front line.
In June 2022, Yevhen’s grandson was born. The young parents named him after his grandfather, who was serving in the military. The older Yevhen helped the young family as much as he could. Then came a call from a hospital in Cherkasy. Little Yevhen was seriously ill: a kidney infection, IV drips, expensive medication he needed. And most frightening of all... neither his mother nor his father was there with him.
Yevhen’s fellow soldiers chipped in for petrol, and his commander gave him permission to leave. Yevhen rushed to the hospital, finding a nanny along the way and getting everything needed for the boy’s treatment. He stayed by his grandson’s side while the doctors fought to save his life.
And once the worst was over, he heard the words that would change his life: if the parents were not there, the child would have to be placed in an institution.
Yevhen now recalls that moment very calmly. He says he simply picked up his grandson and left. That was how they made their way to the Kharkiv region. At first, he believed it was temporary—he hoped his son and daughter-in-law would come to their senses. He even brought them to see little Yevhen, asked them to try again, gave them time, and waited for them to start rebuilding their lives.
I said, “Here’s your child. I need to go back to serving.” But they didn’t even know what to do with him. I gave them three months for one of them to get a job,
But time passed, and the boy remained with his grandfather.
In February 2023, Yevhen began the process of obtaining legal guardianship. Health problems meant he could no longer remain in the military, but for many more months, he fought for the right to officially become for his grandson what he had effectively been since the first days of the boy’s life—a father.
As a serviceman, he was provided with a modular home. But when guided aerial bombs began falling nearby, they had to pack their belongings and move yet again. Later, they received a housing certificate and bought a small room that they now call home. They have lived there together ever since.
Their days have long been planned almost down to the minute. Make breakfast. Take the little one to his activities. Pick him up. Draw something together. Go to English lessons, modeling classes, and play at the playground. And in the evening, they always make time for one more heart-to-heart between the two of them before bed.
I take him everywhere: English lessons, modeling classes, the speech therapist. I want him to spend time with other children and learn to socialize. He’s very outgoing,
Yevhen found out about the Voices of Children Charitable Foundation by chance. Someone suggested that he stop by and find out how the team might be able to help. He and his grandson came without any particular expectations, but ended up attending sessions with a speech therapist. At the time, they were only beginning to settle into their new home, so the Foundation helped them with essential household appliances—a microwave and a juicer.
Yevhen himself needed support, too. When you are caring for a young child who has experienced loss, is growing up amid war, and needs constant attention, it is important for the adult to have someone to lean on as well. That is why Yevhen began working with a Voices of Children psychologist.
Little Yevhen recently tried boxing but says it is not for him. He would much rather run around the playground, choose colors for his drawings, sculpt animals, and discover a world that, despite everything he has been through, still has so much to offer.
Life is still not easy for the two Yevhens. There are many challenges ahead, along with childhood joys and fears, and adult worries. But every evening, when they share their secrets before bed, they truly believe that together, they can overcome whatever comes their way.
If you or your child need support, contact one of our centers across Ukraine or call our psychological support helpline at 0 800 210 106.
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Author: Kateryna Bessarabova.