A Ukrainian teacher blinded in a Russian missile attack says the war is getting 'more dangerous every day'.
Olena Kurylo, 54, became the face of Vladimir Putin's brutality when photographers sent harrowing images of her bandaged face around the world after the attack in Kharkiv on the first day of Russia's invasion in February 2022.
The Mail on Sunday swung into action, helping her flee the war zone to undergo specialist treatment in Poland and, months later, in the UK.
The treatment and rehabilitation took a year. Although Olena was supported by doctors and journalists, she often felt homesick.
'The people I met on my treatment journey became my closest friends...but when I was abroad, I always felt some sort of inner guilt that I was not with my people [Ukrainians]. I really wanted to be home,' she told The Mail on Sunday.
Olena returned to Ukraine last year but says recently daily life has only been getting worse.
At the beginning of the month Okhmatdyt, one of the largest children's hospitals in Kyiv, was struck by a Russian missile. Two people were killed and more than 50 were injured, including seven children.
Last week Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met world leaders and King Charles to discuss an international agreement to 'stop Russian terror'.
Earlier, in one of his video addresses, Zelensky said that Russian forces had used more than 2400 bombs in June, with about 700 aimed at Kharkiv.
Chuhuiv, in the Kharkiv region in Eastern Ukraine where Olena is staying, has been constantly suffering from Russian attacks during the last 3 months. She says the weapons are getting more powerful, with attacks increasing every day.
Two weeks ago, Olena survived another close attack – a heavy missile landed just 1 km from her house, hitting her neighbour's home. It was the first time she has hidden in the basement.
Before the war, Olena was a nursery teacher, and she misses her work. A lot of families with children left Chuhuiv for safety, and nurseries in town closed their doors.
Despite all the difficulties, Olena tries to stay positive and find things to be grateful for. She focuses on trying new hobbies such as listening to audiobooks and gardening, as well as high-intensity tabata workouts.
As a symbol of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Olena is eager to help her country in any possible way.
She is considering going to the frontline to speak to soldiers and wants to create a fund to help children orphaned by the war.
She also helps the Ukrainian army with donations: 'Even if I just give a penny, I feel better.'
Olena is convinced that her mission is to remind the world that Ukraine still needs help: 'I know that everyone got tired of the war or got used to it, but I ask you to be with us till the end, until our victory.'
In her own way, Olena is also tired of the war – peace would mean she could finally get a 'good night's sleep ' without the terror of missile attacks.
'No matter how hard things are, all we have is here and now, and we need to look for inspiration in every single day,' she said.
'Our victory is not a question, it's just a matter of time.'
