Pregnant Tatiana, the mother of five children, had no idea that she would have to give birth in the occupation. Before the full-scale invasion, the family’s life in the village of Kairy, in the Kherson region, was simple and peaceful: Tatiana raised her children, and her husband, a tractor driver, worked in the fields. But on February 24, 2022, everything changed.

With the arrival of the Russian military, the village turned into a real danger. The occupiers stole property, threatened caning for the slightest “guilt” and tortured the local population. Fear for their lives forced the family to hide at home for months and sleep in their clothes, only to run out quickly at night during shelling. When they heard the rumble of enemy equipment, the 5-year-old daughter shouted, “Mom, look!” and ran to hide in the cellar.

Tatiana and her husband had to issue Russian documents for the safety of their children. The occupation forces filmed the passport issuance and demanded to read the oath. They fingerprinted children from the age of 6 as if they were criminals. Tatiana gave birth to the youngest under shelling. She kept holding on to the last and did not grant him Russian citizenship, but a year later, she still had to do it because of threats.

The final straw came the night shelling. Exhausted children did not even wake up from explosions. And in the morning, they were afraid to go out into the yard. Then, the parents decided to escape from this hell at all costs. They heard there was another family saved thanks to Save Ukraine. When they found out that it was free, they decided to leave.

New challenges were waiting at the border. The family was sent for interrogation: they humiliated, mocked, and beat Tatiana’s husband, made up calls “from the SSU” and threatened to take away the children. Tatiana was told that the Kadyrov people would enjoy her, and the husband would be sent to landmines. A Russian man threatened a 14-year-old daughter with a gun at the border to go to the interrogation, “If she doesn’t, I’ll shoot her.”

The family persevered. When they finally set foot on their native land, Tatiana could not believe it: “Finally, we are in our native Ukraine!”

Thanks to the help of Save Ukraine, the Bushan family is starting a new life. There are many challenges ahead, but the main thing is that they are free. And this freedom, suffered and dreamed of, is the greatest treasure.