First of all, introduce yourself and tell us about yourself.
My name is Evelina. I was born and raised in the city of Donetsk. In 2014, when the Russian Federation occupied the city, I was forced to flee the place under shelling. Me and my mother, we happened to be under enemy fire several times, but we got out, and everything was fine.
I got accepted to the law academy in the city of Odesa. Then, my family and I moved to Sviatohirsk. We lived there, in our own house, but, unfortunately, the Russian Federation decided to «liberate» us again. They «liberated» us the way that I lost my home the second time.
I live in Odesa now, where I work and volunteer. My volunteering started when my sister and her son were in Mariupol. They happened to be there from the very beginning of the full-scale invasion and left only at the end of March. That’s why me and my sister started volunteering.
My path started exactly with that painful topic – from what our family has experienced. I thank God they are alive and well. I decided, I even promised myself if they manage to escape and everything is fine with them (I haven’t had any contact with them for a long time after all), then I will stay in Ukraine and help. I will keep doing everything in my power for the people in Ukraine and for myself as well.
In 2014, you lived in Donetsk. Can you tell me more about what was happening there and how you fled the city?
I was in the 11th grade. I do remember, very clearly, that we’ve already been urged to go to the referendums and vote there, even though back then we were minors. But my mom supported Ukraine and went to all the demonstrations. We didn’t have any other views. We were only pro-Ukrainian and, of course, we thought Donetsk was a part of Ukraine, a Ukrainian city.
But, unfortunately, no one asked neither us nor any other residents of our city. I took my final exams in Kharkiv because the city [Donetsk] was already occupied. We didn’t stay in Donetsk as it was very difficult. I wouldn’t wish anyone to live under occupation, particularly under Russian occupation.
Back then, the buses still travelled through Zaporizhzhia to other cities. Although we were asked to show our documents, the buses were passing freely. Back then there was still an opportunity to leave. Things were not as tense at the borders, although they were building roadblocks and checkpoints. I haven’t been there after that.
Have you had anyone in Sviatohirsk?
Yes, I had a sister there who lived with her family. We went there. I gave birth to my child in Slovyansk. We lived there and everything was fine until our neighbour ruined everything, as always.
As Sviatohirsk is a city in the Donetsk region have you had any thoughts that the war would reach there?
There were no such thoughts before the full-scale invasion. But when the city of Izyum, which is close to Sviatohirsk, had drones flying around, we realised we needed to build a shelter.
Staying there with a child is a big responsibility. Loud shelling would affect the child’s psychological state, so we left our home. And after we left, there was a missile strike right in our room, where we would have slept with the child. We somehow felt that it would only get worse and we left. Fortunately, Sviatohirsk is under Ukrainian control. However, people there are still not over the consequences of Russian missiles. The 90% of the city is destroyed. But the most important thing it is a part of Ukraine.
When did you leave the city?
Me, my husband and our child, we left on March 7?
Has anyone of your relatives or friends stayed in the city?
Everyone left Sviatohirsk. Unfortunately, there is nowhere to return.
Have you been in the city after it was liberated?
No. I always get the help in there. But if I want to go back, I need to take my child with me. This is very dangerous. I realise that I cannot put my child at so much risk, especially considering all of the city is mined including our house. I wouldn’t be able to get in there without sappers anyway. But of course, we help people who stayed in Sviatohirsk through locals and volunteers.
Would you want to go back to Sviatohirsk or Donetsk?
I want to go back to Sviatohirskbut but probably not in Donetsk. To be entirely honest, I’ve already gotten over leaving Donetsk. However, Sviatohirsk is my second home and I would love to go back there. I dream of my home [in Sviatohirsk] every night. I really want to go there. I was 17 when I left Donetsk and it wasn’t all that painful compared to when I was leaving my home the second time.
How would you describe the experience of starting your life from scratch in a new place?
It is difficult, but you just understand there is no other way out around it. We decided for ourselves we wanted to stay in Ukraine and continue contributing to our victory. That’s probably why I adjusted myself to the fact that no matter how difficult it is, there is no time to cry and say that something is not working out for me. That’s why, I didn’t even think about whether it would be difficult either for me or my family. We just go on with it. And yet, we hope that we will go back to Sviatohirsk, even if it is only to see our house and the people there. After all, we do understand we wouldn’t be able to go to the forest or anywhere because everything is mined.
I studied in Odesa. I know the place and I like it very much. I think that’s why I almost instantly felt comfortable and at peace.
What do you do for a living?
I am not working at the moment, only volunteering. I have two higher educations but I was on maternity leave and haven’t had a chance to go back to work. Sometime in the future, when we will gain our victory, I will definitely go and work in the profession.
So, now your activities are solely based on volunteering, aren’t they?
Yes, indeed.
When did you decide to start volunteering?
It happened on March 17, 2022, when my older sister called me to say people are needing the help. I started accumulating things like hygiene products among my friends and neighbours. That was when I felt I was in my element. I thought that if I was able to do something from my side then I would be doing it no matter what. That’s how I came to where I am now.
Translator: Anna Konovalenko
Read more: The love for people. Evelina Slyvynska talks about the activities of «Action and Trust».
