Center rising tensions and threats of war, children living on front line of Russia invasion of Ukraine must learn to manage constant stress, with experts warning of long-term unrest.
8-year-old Lisa Shtanko stood up on the side of Muddy road watching Ukrainian soldiers pass by, one of just a little children left in city hit hard from Russia invasion.
There was no heating or electricity. Most of Her friends are long gone. And the just That morning a strike fell outside Lisa house.
“Today I am not in a good mood because of She told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that she was “the bombardment of Viktor Shtanko’s father on. Lehmann, the hometown of Stankus, suffered four months of Russian occupation it left bone of He. She in Ruin and turn the surrounding forests into minefields.
Ukrainian forces regained control of Lyman in October, but fighting continues nearby.
“Of course she’s scared,” said Victor, 42, a yearold electrician.
“There is nothing more terrifying than death lurks around you. But she is fine with her dad.”
Next New Year’s Eve and Orthodox Christmas holiday on January 7th could provide some distraction from the war, but the only game Victor will be able to provide will be donated by a humanitarian organization. group.
These hardships drove most families away with children On leaving, many of them “don’t.” reason Kostya Korovkin said, father of 6-year- Old Nastya.
And Kostya told AFP that he had nowhere to go, which means that Nastya had to spend long days in the basement of they buildingsometimes wandering out On the streets where only stray dogs roam.
Sometimes trending up to buildingvi floorthe only place Where she can get on the Internet signal and attending lessons online.
Before of its entrance buildingsomeone has set up a small Christmas tree and put it up candies on branches.
Kostya said: “But there is no children left to me pick they.”
I have no idea for the future
While he no longer sees Lehman active Fighting, other cities in Eastern Donetsk region Still war on their doorstep.
Bakhmut, where President Volodymyr Zelensky paid a daring surprise visit last week, it has been bombarded by Russian assault months shows No sign of Allow up.
In the back of one Downstairs where 20 people been quartered for eight months, 14-year- Boy Gleb Petrov greets visitors with A firm handshake and a serious look on for him face.
He is the only minor who survives in The cellar, where he spends his days sleeping late, is interested for Seniors and observers over a black kitten has it also taken up stay there.
Sometimes he draws, trying to read intended books for Adults or when there is electricity, he plays on his phone.
“I don’t think about the future,” he told AFP.
“I don’t even know know What will happen in hour or in day from now.”
Such as sound of Explosions echoed outsideGleb said he learned to recognize the difference between incoming and outgoing fire.
Asked about Akbar dreamhe said simply wanted Togo for a walk with Friend.”
“permanent insecurity”
Dozens if not hundreds of children remain in Bakhmut them parents Unable or unwilling to leave.
“these children You have already said Catherine Soldatova, a volunteer with association has set up Shelter in the basement of School.
Inside the heated room there is a Christmas tree and a TV – “everything so they can feel a little safe,” Soldatova said.
It can be extremely dangerous to access such a shelter, and two civilians have been killed recently on they way to Soldatova.
But it has become a vital lifeline for children like 12-year- Old Volodymyr, who He told AFP he was only leaving to go home And he eats.
Psychologist Alyona Lukyanchuk emphasized that children of Bakhmut was in The state of Permanent insecurity.
“the world He could betray them in any way secondAnything is possible destroyed in Lukyanchuk said, who Works for Ukrainian branch of NGO “SOS Children’s Villages”.
With them parents “focused on Alive , ” children You must learn how to deal with Constant stress that “affects concentration (and) cognitive resources” and can lead For a long time-term She said.
But she said she’s trying remain “A little optimistic,” refusing to accept the idea that this children will make up The so-called lost generation.
“There is no safe place place in Ukraine, but only a small percentage of children live on on the front line.”
“they will need to be watched but i sure Many will find resources.
Center rising tensions and threats of war, children living on front line of Russia invasion of Ukraine must learn to manage constant stress, with experts warning of long-term unrest.
8-year-old Lisa Shtanko stood up on the side of Muddy road watching Ukrainian soldiers pass by, one of just a little children left in city hit hard from Russia invasion.
There was no heating or electricity. Most of Her friends are long gone. And the just That morning a strike fell outside Lisa house.
“Today I am not in a good mood because of She told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that she was “the bombardment of Viktor Shtanko’s father on. Lehmann, the hometown of Stankus, suffered four months of Russian occupation it left bone of He. She in Ruin and turn the surrounding forests into minefields.
Ukrainian forces regained control of Lyman in October, but fighting continues nearby.
“Of course she’s scared,” said Victor, 42, a yearold electrician.
“There is nothing more terrifying than death lurks around you. But she is fine with her dad.”
Next New Year’s Eve and Orthodox Christmas holiday on January 7th could provide some distraction from the war, but the only game Victor will be able to provide will be donated by a humanitarian organization. group.
These hardships drove most families away with children On leaving, many of them “don’t.” reason Kostya Korovkin said, father of 6-year- Old Nastya.
And Kostya told AFP that he had nowhere to go, which means that Nastya had to spend long days in the basement of they buildingsometimes wandering out On the streets where only stray dogs roam.
Sometimes trending up to buildingvi floorthe only place Where she can get on the Internet signal and attending lessons online.
Before of its entrance buildingsomeone has set up a small Christmas tree and put it up candies on branches.
Kostya said: “But there is no children left to me pick they.”
I have no idea for the future
While he no longer sees Lehman active Fighting, other cities in Eastern Donetsk region Still war on their doorstep.
Bakhmut, where President Volodymyr Zelensky paid a daring surprise visit last week, it has been bombarded by Russian assault months shows No sign of Allow up.
In the back of one Downstairs where 20 people been quartered for eight months, 14-year- Boy Gleb Petrov greets visitors with A firm handshake and a serious look on for him face.
He is the only minor who survives in The cellar, where he spends his days sleeping late, is interested for Seniors and observers over a black kitten has it also taken up stay there.
Sometimes he draws, trying to read intended books for Adults or when there is electricity, he plays on his phone.
“I don’t think about the future,” he told AFP.
“I don’t even know know What will happen in hour or in day from now.”
Such as sound of Explosions echoed outsideGleb said he learned to recognize the difference between incoming and outgoing fire.
Asked about Akbar dreamhe said simply wanted Togo for a walk with Friend.”
“permanent insecurity”
Dozens if not hundreds of children remain in Bakhmut them parents Unable or unwilling to leave.
“these children You have already said Catherine Soldatova, a volunteer with association has set up Shelter in the basement of School.
Inside the heated room there is a Christmas tree and a TV – “everything so they can feel a little safe,” Soldatova said.
It can be extremely dangerous to access such a shelter, and two civilians have been killed recently on they way to Soldatova.
But it has become a vital lifeline for children like 12-year- Old Volodymyr, who He told AFP he was only leaving to go home And he eats.
Psychologist Alyona Lukyanchuk emphasized that children of Bakhmut was in The state of Permanent insecurity.
“the world He could betray them in any way secondAnything is possible destroyed in Lukyanchuk said, who Works for Ukrainian branch of NGO “SOS Children’s Villages”.
With them parents “focused on Alive , ” children You must learn how to deal with Constant stress that “affects concentration (and) cognitive resources” and can lead For a long time-term She said.
But she said she’s trying remain “A little optimistic,” refusing to accept the idea that this children will make up The so-called lost generation.
“There is no safe place place in Ukraine, but only a small percentage of children live on on the front line.”
“they will need to be watched but i sure Many will find resources.