Since the beginning of the conflict 8 years ago, Vika’s family has lived in anticipation of a better future in Ukraine. In 2014, her father began to fight for the country and in May of 2022 he received redeployment orders to Bakhmut in the Donbas region, where the fiercest battles are presently taking place. Shortly after the redeployment, Vika’s father stopped contacting the family and her mother received word that her husband had disappeared. The family searched for him, though their efforts were unsuccessful. Several weeks later, they received confirmation that her father had come into contact with an enemy mine and perished.

Six-year-old Vika remains with her mother and the two of them must now get accustomed to difficult changes in their lives, without their beloved father and husband by their side.