Accessibility links

Breaking News

The World Shrinks To A Basement In Ukraine For World War II Survivor And Grandmother

For the past four months, Maria Nikolaevna, 92, has been living underground with her daughter, son-in-law, and the family cat. Her only glimpse of sunlight is when she sits at the foot of the stairs that lead up to the war-torn streets of Kharkiv, Ukraine.

For many older people like Maria, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has not only uprooted their lives but sowed confusion and misery.


16x9 Image

RFE/RL

RFE/RL journalists report the news in 27 languages in 23 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established. We provide what many people cannot get locally: uncensored news, responsible discussion, and open debate.

XS
SM
MD
LG