The Matiyevsky family had to leave their home under occupation because they couldn’t bear the constant pressure on their children. The occupying authorities insisted on issuing Russian documents for the children, claiming they belonged to Russia and denying their parents any rights.

They waited for the blue and yellow flag to fly over their village, but it never happened. The Russians grew angrier, and the children suffered increasing psychological trauma from being stuck at home for almost two years, unable to go out or socialize. They couldn’t even go to the park because Russians always hassled them, asking, “Why aren’t you in school?” But Ukrainian kids didn’t want to go to Russian schools.

Victoria recalls that awful time: “We lived at home like in a prison, in a big cage.” During this time, Russians shelled villages, claiming it was the Ukrainian army. They used equipment to block communication to see who in the village was using Ukrainian. And they constantly threatened to take away the children.

Learn more about the Matiyevsky family’s life under occupation in our video. You can support this and other families affected by the crimes of the Russian army in occupation. Share this video or donate using the link provided. Every dollar helps save and recover someone’s innocent life from occupation.