Life at the start of war: the story of the Kononenko family
Published: Jan 10, 2025 Reading time: 2 minutes
Anatolii and Alevtyna live in the village of Varivsk in Kyiv Oblast. Their village was one of the first to come under attack during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The couple survived by hiding in their basement, but unfortunately, their house did not survive the shelling. With support from the Humanitarian Fund for Ukraine, we helped these pensioners restore the cosiness and comfort of their home.
Alevtyna and Anatolii had a quiet and peaceful life, together they enjoyed cosy evenings in each other's company. But on the morning of February 24, 2022, they heard the roar of planes and powerful explosions; they learned from the news that Russia had launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Frightened, they called their daughter and grandchildren.
Anatolii and Alevtyna were very worried about the lives of each other and their loved ones.
Their village was at the epicentre of the fighting, their neighbour's house was engulfed in flames.
One evening, Ukrainian soldiers knocked on Alevtyna and Anatolii's door. They asked them to shelter a pregnant woman and three children from a neighbouring village which the Russian Army occupied.
Together, they hid from shelling in a cold basement. Only occasionally did the couple go outside to find phone signal.
Every day, the village was subjected to serious artillery and air strikes. Everyone who had their own transportation left for safer places.
Anatolii, Alevtyna, and other pensioners were taken out of Varivsk by the Ukrainian military. It was heartwrenching for the couple to say goodbye to their home—they did not know whether they would return.
After the liberation of Kyiv Oblast, Anatolii and Alevtyna were able to return home. But their house was badly damaged. The couple were in complete despair because they had no money for repairs. Anatolii tried to find help.
Soon, representatives of People in Need appeared in their yard with materials for repairs. The broken windows, doors and roof were replaced. And now, the couple lives in their home, dreaming every day of peace and happiness for all Ukrainians.
