Ukraine: 3 years of a comprehensive Russian war – pain and loss of solidarity and hope for a better future

Three years have passed, and Ukraine is still on the goal of almost daily attacks. United Nations employees in Ukraine live this war along with the rest of the population, and their ability to help others have a great appreciation and has become a lifeline during these difficult times.

That morning of February 2022

Natalia Dachenco works with UNICEF in Ukraine. In an interview with United Nations news via video from Kyiv, she said: “February 24, 2022 … a day I hope I will not remember it.” She said that she is overwhelming her tears to tell her work tale over the past three years. She adds: “I tried not to cry (during this dialogue), but I couldn’t. I am happy that I have napkins in my hands.”

The strange thing is that, besides the shock and anger that swept her heart in that tragic morning, Natalia also felt a energy flow. On that, she says: “I realized, completely, that I wanted to help others and protect people. I realized that I had to do something.”

With the war intensity, the UNICEF leadership has instructed employees to give priority to their safety and the safety of their families before resuming their work. Natalia was evacuated to a leg with her family. And you remember this by saying: “We were 12 people jammed in a small train cabin. I carried another person in my arms because there was no place to sit. The weather was very cold. “

Lyodella Kovaltokok, an employee of the United Nations Women’s Office in Ukraine, was living near Kiev Airport – one of the first targets of the war. She tells her story by saying: “We woke up at five in the morning to the sound of the explosions. It was shocking. Although we heard warnings of an imminent invasion, we did not believe that it was really happening.”

The wheel of life revolves around

Three years later, Lyodella admits that exhaustion has been obtained from it, but life and work continues. Women in Ukraine need the United Nations – psychological, legal, logistical and financial support. Many Ukrainian women announce children alone, search for jobs to support their families, and they are constantly moving to maintain their safety.

Lyodella says: “About 70,000 Ukrainian women are serving in the army. This group has unique needs that require special support.”

She continued: “We have adapted to work under new circumstances. When we arrange to meet somewhere, we check if there is a nearby shelter in case of an attack. We do not plan for long events, because the risk of bombing increases the longer our stay in one place. During the Korona pandemic period, we learned to work in a mixed format, and that experience was invaluable. “

Anastasia Kalashnik, another employee of the United Nations Women, was living in Zaburujia but moved two years ago with her family to Kiev. And you remember by saying: “After February 24, 2022, my children stopped going to the nurseries and school, and my husband lost his job – the foreign company where he was working, I immediately stopped its operations and left the country.”

However, the work burden increased significantly on Anastasia. As an employee of the United Nations Women, she has been working since 2017 responsible for the emergency aid provided by the authority in Ukraine, with a focus on women in the Luhansk and Donitsk regions. After 2022, many of these women were forced to flee their homes.

On that, she says: “When the memory was back, the most difficult part was to hear their stories – women who had known them for years – about how they escaped from the occupied areas and what happened to their husbands who went to war.”

For these and other needy Ukrainian women, the United Nations Women- in cooperation with local NGOs- established the so-called b “Safe spaces.” These centers provide support that affects the need, which provides women with the ability to communicate and exchange experiences and recovery.

On that, she says: “We were one of the women who came to the center, and she continued her return journey again after a shock experience. She started smiling again. Now, to us is one of the activists of the center, and helps others.”

A high price for war

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Ocha), until February 2025, more than 12,600 civilians were confirmed and more than 29,000 others were injured, including at least 2,400 children.

Millions live in constant fear, while those in the occupied areas face severe and limited restrictions in reaching humanitarian aid. A whole generation of Ukrainians grows in the shadows of war. Continuous attacks on the infrastructure deepens the crisis. More than 10% of the housing in Ukraine was damaged or destroyed, leaving at least two million families without a suitable shelter. More than 3,600 schools have been targeted, forcing hundreds of thousands of children to learn remotely, according to the office of Ocha.

Repeated strikes on the power system – for three consecutive winter classes – caused leaving cities without electricity, heating and basic services in the midst of very cold conditions. A total of 12.7 million people need humanitarian aid.

Hopes for the future

In the midst of this tragedy, is there room for hope? “Yes,” this is what the women who spoke to the United Nations news said. Anastasia says: “Of course, everything that happened is exhausted. But my children give me hope for a better future. What they are going through now is unfair. I must be strong – not only for them, but for all Ukrainian families.”

It also finds hope in the solidarity shown by the United Nations and other organizations. On that, she says: “They did not abandon Ukraine. They stayed. They are continuing to help. They did not come for only one or two months – but have stayed here for years. Now, they are talking about reconstruction. These discussions about the future give me confidence that we have in the future.”

Natalia from UNICEF also talks about unity and solidarity. She says: “Initially, we were all united. It is better.

And continue Natalia said: “My work gives me hope. I have a unique opportunity to reassess old programs, create new programs, listen to the voices of the most vulnerable groups, direct resources where they are needed, and link different sectors together to provide the best for the needy. I think that work in UNICEF helped me survive – The work is still a strategy for survival. “

Culture is a source of inspiration

Natalia also finds consolation in culture. On that, she says: “I derive inspiration and motivation from the beauty that Ukraine still enjoys – our museums are open, musical parties are ongoing, and music is played. For many, culture is a strategy for survival.”

Today, many Ukrainians are looking for their “survival strategies”. Lyodella says: “One of the biggest challenges we face in our work is the psychological burden – not only in supporting ourselves, but also our colleagues. In recent times, one of our colleagues has lost his brother. Sometimes, it is extremely difficult to find the right words for sympathy, however, we are working with People – women and girls affected by war – need our support. “

We have to become stronger

And continue Lyodella, her speech by saying: “But on the other hand, when you face tragedy after another, and a crisis after another, you start feeling stronger and more experienced. There is a saying that” what does not kill us makes us stronger ‘. “

Then she adds while her face covers a sad smile: “It may be true. But I always say – I wish I had no experience now. But I had no choice. This experience is my destiny and I will carry it.”