Halyna Semibratska, aged 101, was initially confused when she learned that Ukraine was under attack by Russia, believing it to be the Germans once again. Having lived through multiple invasions including World War II, she, along with a small group of elderly Ukrainians, saw their land ravaged by German and Soviet forces. The current conflict with Russia has brought back memories of past wartime experiences for many of them, as towns and cities are once again devastated and occupied by foreign troops.
In the port city of Kherson, Zinaida Tarasenko, 83, recalls how her mother protected her from the Germans during the Nazi occupation. When Russian forces seized Kherson in 2022, she had to protect her daughter from being abducted by soldiers. Halyna Nutrashenko, 94, ended up in a Kherson hospital after her home was destroyed by a Russian rocket, reminiscent of the brutal Nazi occupation she experienced in her childhood. Yuliia Nikitenko, 88, saw her father executed by the Soviets during Stalin’s Great Purge and refused to give up her Ukrainian identity to the Russian occupiers.
In Kharkiv, Anna Lapan, 100, who survived the German occupation in World War II, had to flee the city once again when Russian forces attacked in 2022. The Russian assault left many buildings in ruins, echoing the devastation of the past. Ms. Semibratska, who was 18 when Nazi forces entered her hometown of Nikopol, vividly remembers the horrors of war and the night they spent in a ditch after being shelled by German artillery. Today, the same stretch of the Dnipro River that once marked the front line between Nazi and Soviet forces now divides Ukrainian and Russian troops once again.
During the Russian occupation of Izium, Ms. Semibratska remained paralyzed with fear and was unable to move to safety during the shelling. The lack of basic necessities like water, heating, and electricity made life difficult for the residents under Russian rule. Nearby towns like Yahidne also suffered under Russian occupation, with Hanna Skrypak, 87, forced to endure cramped conditions in a school basement with over 300 people. The hardships faced during wartime occupations by both German and Russian forces have left a lasting impact on the elderly Ukrainians who have experienced these traumas firsthand.
The experiences of these elderly Ukrainians serve as a reminder of the cyclical nature of war and occupation, with some having lived through multiple invasions in their lifetimes. The current conflict with Russia has brought back painful memories of past trauma, with towns and cities once again facing devastation and occupation. Despite their advanced age, these survivors continue to display resilience and strength in the face of adversity, refusing to give up their Ukrainian identity even in the most challenging circumstances.
As the war in Ukraine continues to unfold, the stories of these elderly survivors highlight the human toll of conflict and the lasting impact it can have on individuals and communities. Their recollections of past occupations and the current struggles against Russian forces provide a historical perspective on the ongoing war, underscoring the need for peace and unity in the face of adversity. Through their resilience and determination, these elderly Ukrainians embody the spirit of their nation, standing firm in their identity and refusing to be overcome by the forces of war and occupation.
