How to Survive Russian Deportation and not Break Down: the Story of 17-year-old Valeriia
Valeria, 17, lives in Kyiv and is currently studying at a medical college remotely. Although she appears to be an ordinary teenager, she has endured a year and a half of Russian military occupation and deportation.
In every interview, I speak for the children who can no longer speak. They went to Russia — and they simply have no opportunity to speak. Or they died in the first days,
“The Russians stole a year and a half of my childhood”
Valeriia is originally from Nova Kakhovka in the Kherson region, which was occupied by Russian troops early in the large-scale invasion. At that time, she was living with her grandmother, who had become her guardian following her mother’s death.
When I realized we were living under enemy military occupation, I started experiencing tinnitus due to severe stress. It lasted for a month. Then the shelling and explosions began, and it was terrifying,
Almost a year later, in the fall of 2022, as Ukrainian forces approached Nova Kakhovka, the Russians announced a forced “evacuation”. Valeriia, along with other children, was taken to occupied Crimea ostensibly for a vacation.
During the deportation, the children were forced to sing the Russian anthem, learn pseudo-history, and the “native” Russian language. Moreover, they were constantly urged to move to Russia and enroll in its universities.
During the deportation, the children were forced to sing the Russian anthem, learn pseudo-history, and the “native” Russian language. Moreover, they were constantly urged to move to Russia and enroll in its universities.
We were completely labeled as children of the Russian Federation. They simply erased our identity as Ukrainians — citizens who have lived in Ukraine all our lives, although now in its militarily occupied part,
Two months later, her grandmother took her back, and eventually, Valeriia made her way to the territory controlled by Ukraine on her own. From the last Russian checkpoint, she had to walk through a minefield. When she finally saw Ukrainian soldiers and heard the Ukrainian language, she could not hold back her emotions and burst into tears.
The Russians stole a year and a half of my childhood. I had to grow up very quickly. Instead of “liberation”, Russia caused me to develop chronic stress disorder,
«I want every child to get their home back»
After moving to Kyiv, Valeriia started undergoing therapy sessions with a psychologist from “Voices of Children”. Intrigued by her story, the Foundation’s chief communications officer, Olha Tymchenko, decided to take her under her care following their meeting. They have already moved in together and are settling into their new shared space.
Valeriia is actively giving interviews to both Ukrainian and foreign media about her experiences. Together with Olha, she also spoke at the Seimas of Lithuania.
I want every child to get their home back, and I want those homes to be safe. Every crime witnessed by children should be investigated, and Russia must finally be punished for each such crime,
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