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17.11.2025
How the Pankeiev Brothers Find Freedom through Creativity and Friendship
Semen and Mykyta Pankeiev are actors, as they say about themselves. One loves drawing and runs a YouTube channel, while the other is passionate about cooking and writing. Together, they lived through Russian occupation and began a new life in Mykolaiv. There are five people in their family. Their sister is already grown up, their mom is wonderful and very kind, and their dad is strong—that’s how the boys describe their family.
We were evacuated, and that’s how we found ourselves in Mykolaiv. We’ve been living here for three years. Sometimes we go back home to finish rebuilding it—because while we were away, it got damaged. But we’re fixing it
They describe Pervomaisk as cozy and homey. But there weren’t many children, so instead of friends they had two best toys: a stick and imagination, as one of the boys explains. At home, the brothers faced bullying. When they arrived in Mykolaiv, at first the situation repeated itself: once again, there were few friends; once again, a sense of not being understood.
Then they saw an ad for the Voices of Children center. At first, they played board games there with peers, and over time, found their first real friends. For them, friendship means not ignoring messages on Telegram, hanging out until evening, and accepting others as they are.
Then they saw an ad for the Voices of Children center. At first, they played board games there with peers, and over time, found their first real friends. For them, friendship means not ignoring messages on Telegram, hanging out until evening, and accepting others as they are.
How did I find friends? I just came up [confidently]: Hello, I’m Semen, nice to meet you. Mykyta’s charisma—he has it too—is very strong, like something straight out of a magazine,
In the Voices of Children space, they received support, learned to talk about their problems, and how to calm themselves.
I definitely remember the most famous ‘inhale–exhale’: breathe in, hold it, then breathe out,
In Mykolaiv, the boys draw, write stories, make videos, and create their own characters. Semen has created Sam, a medium-height boy in a green T-shirt and blue pants. His wings are a symbol of freedom. He is kind and wants to help everyone. Mykyta has made Nixon—daring and flamboyant, someone who enjoys attention.
Nixon is literally me. How I see myself,
The fictional characters have become their self-portraits. Through Sam and Nixon, the brothers show who they are and who they want to be. They dream that their characters will live. And also that they themselves will be able to live peacefully, play with friends, and that everything will be wonderful. Because the boys already know what bullying, occupation, evacuation, and the destruction of their home are. But they also know what true friends, support, and a place where you are accepted feel like.
Now they have a space where they can draw wings of freedom and invent characters who live the way the children themselves dream of living. And also the strength to return home and fix what the war has broken.
If you or your child needs support, contact our centers across Ukraine or our psychological support helpline: 0800 210 106. You can support the Foundation’s work with a donation or by sharing our updates.
If you or your child needs support, contact our centers across Ukraine or our psychological support helpline: 0800 210 106. You can support the Foundation’s work with a donation or by sharing our updates.
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