Vira Stepanova served in the border troops for many years and participated in the anti-terrorist operation launched in 2014 against the Russian-backed militants and Russian soldiers in eastern Ukraine.

In 2014, she was forced to flee to a small town to stay with her parents because her apartment in her hometown was occupied. However, the greatest challenges were yet to come.

In 2022, the Russians occupied the village too. That’s when Vira found herself trapped. She was forced to resign from her service to look after her ill son, immobile ex-serviceman father, and mother with a heart condition.

She’d fear daily that the Russians would come and interrogate her. And so it happened when her neighbors ratted her out.

At first, the occupation authorities “turned a blind eye” to her past service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine as she was taking care of her family. After months of agitation and wait, the Russians finally confronted her, telling her to either leave or face the ramifications.

Her family and she packed, rented a car and managed to get to the Ukrainian-controlled territory despite the Russian border guards interrogating her thoroughly.

She did not have money or anyone to turn to for help. Our team tried helping her from the outset, but she initially turned down the offer.

The family moved into a semi-destroyed house in Volyn, with no heating and only plastic covering the windows. In that house, Vira’s father passed away. Overcome by grief and the relentless trials, she finally agreed to accept help from Save Ukraine.

First, we helped them settle into a modular house under the Fort Home program, provided humanitarian aid, and helped restore her mother’s frozen pension. Meanwhile, her son, Alex, received long-awaited treatment at Okhmatdyt, and her mother received medical care.

Right now, Vira moved into her own place and lives with her family.

This story is a reminder of why it’s so paramount to support those who lost everything. That’s why we help not only with material needs but also by restoring hope. Every hryvnia donated is a step toward a new life for families who have lost everything because of the war.

Support our project. We’re stronger together.