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28.03.2025
“A Son Who Will Never Play with His Father Again”: The Story of 6-Year-Old Platon
Three years—half of Platon's life—have passed. The war took away his home, grandparents, and friends. But most importantly, it took his father, Hennadii, who was killed in battle.
For his mother, Kateryna, every morning is a test. She must find the strength to build a new life without her husband.
For his mother, Kateryna, every morning is a test. She must find the strength to build a new life without her husband.
A Long Journey for a Small Boy
What do you take with you on a journey at the age of three? What do you pack in your backpack when your mother hands you a big bag for a big adventure?
Platon brought coloring books, his favorite blanket, and a toy fire truck. But if he could, he would have taken his grandparents, his friends from kindergarten, and maybe even the entire Azov Sea.
Kateryna recalls those days with both pain and tenderness. It has now been three years since they fled their native Berdyansk in panic during the first weeks of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
Platon brought coloring books, his favorite blanket, and a toy fire truck. But if he could, he would have taken his grandparents, his friends from kindergarten, and maybe even the entire Azov Sea.
Kateryna recalls those days with both pain and tenderness. It has now been three years since they fled their native Berdyansk in panic during the first weeks of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
That's almost half my son's life. I'm grateful he wasn't too little when we left. He still remembers our life there—walks by the sea, his grandparents whom he loved so much,
Kateryna's parents remained under occupation.
"My father couldn't leave due to his poor health," she explains.
They are still there, under constant control of the russian occupiers. From time to time, they manage to send news, but no one knows when they will see each other again.
"My father couldn't leave due to his poor health," she explains.
They are still there, under constant control of the russian occupiers. From time to time, they manage to send news, but no one knows when they will see each other again.
Escape to Kyiv
Kateryna and her husband didn't hesitate—staying under occupation was impossible.
"My husband had been fighting in the Azov Regiment since 2014. He knew what was coming. We also knew that the families of these soldiers were in grave danger under occupation."
The first month in Kyiv was difficult. For two months, Kateryna didn't unpack their suitcases. Platon had no friends and asked every day when they would return home.
"My husband had been fighting in the Azov Regiment since 2014. He knew what was coming. We also knew that the families of these soldiers were in grave danger under occupation."
The first month in Kyiv was difficult. For two months, Kateryna didn't unpack their suitcases. Platon had no friends and asked every day when they would return home.
He would watch videos from the last celebration at kindergarten and miss it terribly. At night, he was afraid of explosions. We slept in the corridor, away from the windows. My boy, who was always so talkative, suddenly became silent and just followed all the rules. He knew—we had to survive,
Then, Hennadii returned to the front.
"He visited us in Kyiv whenever he could. Platon and his dad were very close. For him, his father was like a god. He knew his dad was a soldier but didn't yet understand how dangerous it was."
"He visited us in Kyiv whenever he could. Platon and his dad were very close. For him, his father was like a god. He knew his dad was a soldier but didn't yet understand how dangerous it was."
The Last Walk
Kateryna opens her phone and shows photos: a park, her, Hennadii, and Platon, laughing and making a funny face.
"This was our last walk together..."
Because his father would never return.
Hennadii was killed near Bakhmut on June 7, 2023, during Ukraine's counteroffensive.
"This was our last walk together..."
Because his father would never return.
Hennadii was killed near Bakhmut on June 7, 2023, during Ukraine's counteroffensive.
Living Without a Father
Kateryna speaks quietly, sitting in the Voices of Children Foundation center. Around her are colorful furniture, toys stacked in the corner, and drawings of animals on the walls. Everything here is designed to support children. But she confesses that she needs support even more than Platon at this moment.
When I received the letter about my husband's death, I couldn't tell my son. A part of me still hoped Hennadii would come back.
She had to see a psychologist. It took dozens of sessions before she found the strength to tell Platon the truth.
Platon Learns to Live Without His Father
"We cried together a lot. He was only five years old… Sometimes, it feels like something heavy is pressing on my chest. But then Platon hugs me and says: 'Even if Dad is gone, I'm still here.'"
Kateryna says that a child's perception of loss is a complex process.
At the funeral, Platon asked: "Mom, are you sure that's really my dad in the coffin?"
From time to time, he asks to visit the cemetery. And when he gets angry at his mother, he goes to his father's photo and tells him he's tired of her.
But he is growing up. He even likes a girl at school.
Kateryna smiles as she watches Platon jump around the playground, laughing and throwing snow into the air.
"One day, we were walking home from kindergarten," she recalls, "when he suddenly stopped and started crying. He had just realized he would never play with his father again..."
The Voices of Children Foundation supports Platon and other children, helping them transform their trauma into experience. A leading French-language Canadian media outlet, La Presse, has published a story about him. You can read the full article at the provided link.
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