The Story of Assistance to Halyna, a Victim of the russian Attack on Zaporizhzhia
In July 2025, the East SOS team visited one of the areas in Zaporizhzhia affected by another russian shelling, providing first aid and legal support to local residents. Halyna, an 86-year-old woman, was among those in particular need of assistance. Her house had sustained serious damage: the windows were blown out, and the walls were partially destroyed.
“When we arrived at the site, we began inspecting the houses that had been hit by drones. When I entered one of the homes, I saw an elderly woman who was visibly frightened and disoriented. I immediately started talking to her, asking about her condition and what she needed,” recalls Alina Rodina, a lawyer at East SOS.
Within minutes, it became clear that the woman was exhausted and emotionally overwhelmed. Halyna told us she had suffered a stroke a few years ago. Although her health had gradually improved, the recent shelling and stress had caused a relapse: her coordination had worsened, and her left arm was nearly immobile. Halyna lives alone, and even basic daily tasks have become a challenge.
Halyna has limited mobility, so the team accompanied her to the Administrative Services Center (ASC) to apply for compensation for her damaged home through the state “eRecovery” program. A social worker and the foundation’s lawyer drove her to the center. Later, they helped Halyna apply for a bank card so she could receive payments through the program.
“We arranged another trip and accompanied her to the bank, where she opened an account. Then we guided her step by step through logging into the Diia app and submitting her application for compensation,” said Olha Voloshko, a social worker at East SOS.
Halyna also received a consultation on how to apply for disability status and a utility subsidy. She is still considering her options, but the team remains in touch and ready to support her whenever she needs help.
From May 1 to July 20, 2025, as part of its emergency response, the foundation’s team in Zaporizhzhia provided 163 psychosocial counseling sessions to residents of affected areas.
Following enemy shelling, people urgently need support. The East SOS team visits local communities to assist those in crisis – helping them manage stress, navigate the compensation process, and access vital aid from state institutions and humanitarian organizations.
The psychosocial and legal support team in Zaporizhzhia operates under the project “Protection and Necessary Psychosocial Support for War-Affected Frontline Residents,” with funding from the Federal Foreign Office of Germany.
Recently, we shared Nataliia’s story of recovery in Zaporizhzhia.
