Lyudmila and Yuri Vasiliev

The Vasyliev family is from Kherson. Mrs. Lyudmyla used to work in the stock market, while Mr. Yuriy worked as a security guard in a business center.

The family has endured much since the war began. They are unable to speak about the most terrifying moments they experienced. Just mentioning what they’ve gone through brings tears to Mrs. Lyudmyla’s eyes and makes it hard for her to speak.

The most terrifying and difficult trial was the nine months of occupation. The family witnessed the shooting of civilians and the looting of homes. In the first months, they tried not to go outside. Only when necessary, they rushed to the market early in the morning, avoiding patrols, and quickly returned home.

They stayed quiet and tried not to attract unnecessary attention. The constant stress and the horror of the enemy’s brutality against civilians had a significant impact on the couple’s mental state.

“We are sincerely grateful for everything we have here. For this help, understanding, care, and attention. For the shelter and support. So, with my help to others, I want to give back even a little of this warmth and support,” shares Mrs. Lyudmyla.

At the beginning of the occupation, Mr. Yuriy continued to guard the business center. Every time, neither he nor his wife knew whether he would return alive. To stay safe, he tried to change his route and listened carefully for any cars approaching, hoping not to be seen by the patrols. Also, there was nowhere to buy bread or food in Kherson. Thanks to a man who owned a small bakery, people could hold on for a while. With the remaining flour, he baked bread and gave it away for free. However, after Russian soldiers took him for interrogation, the man’s fate is still unknown.

Every day in occupied Kherson, small Ukrainian boys and girls were born. To support mothers of newborns, Mrs. Lyudmyla knitted baby booties and delivered them to the city’s perinatal center. Now, Mrs. Lyudmyla continues her favorite hobby, knitting socks for the soldiers who are in the hospital.

When the opportunity arose to go to the shelter in the village of Voynyliv, the family left everything that was dear and important to them in search of a safe place to live.

Lyudmyla and Yuriy Vasylievs have slowly adapted. They are deeply grateful for the care and support they received after all the horrors they had to endure. To be useful and support others who found themselves in the same situation, Mrs. Lyudmyla helps the elderly residents of the shelter. She shows them and does physical exercises with them. Some do the exercises on their own, while others she visits in their rooms and helps them do exercises in bed.

The Vasyliev family also cares for Mrs. Oleksandra Kozlova. Volunteers from Germany provided her with a wheelchair, allowing her to enjoy the outdoors. Lyudmyla and Yuriy accompany her outside, do exercises together, and give her the attention she needs, as the lonely Mrs. Oleksandra deeply appreciates it.