A 98-year-old woman in Ukraine, Lidia Stepanivna Lomikovska, recently made headlines for her daring escape from Russian-occupied territory in the eastern Donetsk region. Lomikovska, along with her family, decided to leave the front-line town of Ocheretyne after Russian troops entered it and fighting intensified. In the chaos of their departure, Lidia became separated from her son and two daughters-in-law, who took back routes while she chose to stay on the main road. Despite her advanced age and limited resources, she walked almost 10 kilometers alone, wearing slippers and supported by a cane, to reach safety.
During her perilous journey, Lidia Lomikovska fell twice, rested along the way, and faced immense challenges. She described how she lost balance, fell into weeds, and had to push herself to keep walking bit by bit. Ukrainian soldiers spotted her walking along the road in the evening and handed her over to the “White Angels,” a police group that evacuates citizens from front-line areas. They took her to a shelter for evacuees and contacted her relatives. Her survival instincts and determination to reach Ukrainian lines have garnered international attention and praise for her resilience.
Lidia Lomikovska’s story highlights the struggles faced by civilians caught in the middle of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. At 98 years old, she lived through World War II and now finds herself once again navigating a war-torn landscape. She recounted her experiences of survival during the Second World War and compared it to the current situation, where she remarked that everything seemed to be on fire. Despite the challenges she faced on her journey, Lomikovska’s strong will to survive and reunite with her family serves as a symbol of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
In a heartwarming turn of events, the chief executive of a major Ukrainian bank announced that the bank would purchase a house for Lomikovska as a gesture of support and solidarity. Oleh Horokhovskyi, the CEO of Monobank, shared the news on his Telegram channel and expressed his desire for Lidia to live in the house until the conflict in the region subsides. The generous gesture towards the elderly woman who braved extraordinary circumstances to reach safety reflects the outpouring of support and compassion from both individuals and organizations amid the crisis in Ukraine.
The plight of Lidia Lomikovska underscores the impact of the conflict on vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those with limited mobility. As Russian forces continue to advance in the region and target civilian areas, stories like Lidia’s shed light on the human cost of war and the resilience of individuals facing unimaginable challenges. The courage and determination displayed by Lomikovska in her journey to safety serve as a powerful reminder of the strength and spirit of the Ukrainian people in the face of adversity.
Amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stories of survival, courage, and resilience like Lidia Lomikovska’s capture the attention and empathy of people around the world. Her remarkable escape from Russian-occupied territory at the age of 98 serves as a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to endure and overcome adversity. As the international community continues to monitor developments in the region, individuals like Lidia inspire hope and solidarity in the face of crisis and uncertainty. The outpouring of support for her and others affected by the conflict reflects a shared commitment to peace, compassion, and resilience in the midst of turmoil.
