“I Survived – So I Must Keep Living”: The Story of Dmytro from Ukrainsk (Donetsk Oblast), Who Lost His Family in a Shelling
Dmytro (name changed for safety reasons), 40, currently lives in a residential care facility for people with disabilities, slowly regaining the strength to go on living. Just recently, he was evacuated from Pokrovsk — injured, without documents, and in deep emotional distress caused by the russian armed aggression.
His common-law wife and her daughter were killed by mortar fragments at a bus stop in broad daylight in the town of Ukrainsk, Donetsk Oblast. In an instant, the russian army destroyed everything that had been Dmytro’s home and family. He survived by sheer miracle and was taken to a hospital in Pokrovsk. However, due to constant shelling, the facility had to be evacuated. The Charity Foundation “East SOS” transported the injured man from the hospital to Dnipro.
Life had never been easy for Dmytro, even before the war. He carried the heavy burden of years of drug addiction, several convictions, and health conditions that still trouble him. But after losing his loved ones, he resolved that, having survived, he must at least make an attempt to live.
Following his evacuation, the CF “East SOS” team assisted him in securing temporary shelter at the Center for Social Adaptation of People with Disabilities run by NGO “Ocean of Kindness” and began the process of finding him a permanent accommodation. At that time, Dmytro had neither identity documents nor a clear understanding of where to start. So, we began with the basics: Oksana Akchebash, a social worker at “East SOS,” helped him recover his passport, followed by his taxpayer identification number.
Next came the lengthy, grueling of obtaining disability status. Although it was challenging, Oksana provided consistent support to the man — both in her professional capacity, guiding each step, and as a compassionate person. With her assistance, within 2 months, Dmytro was granted Group II disability status, followed by all necessary payments and financial assistance. This made it possible for him not only to survive but also to gradually recover — both physically and emotionally.
Currently, Dmytro lives in a residential care facility for people with disabilities in the west of Ukraine. After a long period of uncertainty and pain, he finally has a place where he feels safe and can slowly regain his inner peace.
Every month, the CF “East SOS” team helps hundreds of people who have lost everything because of the war. Starting over is possible when there is support. Our specialists will be that reliable shoulder to lean on, helping people overcome hardships.
Between November 2024 and June 2025, with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), the CF “East SOS” team provided 14,526 hot meals, 3,101 social consultations, and 777 psychological consultations, as well as assisted 353 people in securing safe accommodation.
Psychosocial support is provided as part of the project “Protection and Psychosocial Services for Persons with Limited Mobility and Persons with Disabilities Affected by the War”, implemented with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
Read the story of our assistance to Halyna, affected by the russian attack on Zaporizhzhia.
