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Transcript/ScriptUKRAINE RETURNEES
HEADLINE: For Ukraine’s War Survivors, Struggle Just Beginning
TEASER: A family who fled the Russian assault on Irpin returns to rebuild, even as the war’s end is nowhere in sight.
PUBLISHED AT: 06/15/2022 at 10:20am
BYLINE: Anna Chernikova
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Irpin, Ukraine
VIDEOGRAPHER: Eugene Shynkar
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: LR, MAS
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA ORIGINAL, AFP, Russian Defense Ministry
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:27
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG NOTES: Anna’s email is: anna.pyatetska@gmail.com))
((INTRO)) [[As Russia began its assault in Ukraine, its initial goal was to capture the capital city – Kyiv. In the early days of the invasion, Russian forces occupied towns on the outskirts of the capital – newly built neighborhoods where many prosperous, young families had settled. One of the communities most devastated was Irpin, 20 kilometers outside the capital. For VOA, Annarrts from Irpin.]]
((NARRATOR))
For residents of Irpin, like elsewhere in Ukraine, it was clear that life would never be the same after February 24th.
When Russia forces rolled into their country, many residents stood up to fight. The invaders retreated only after a long and bloody battle.
But some residents like Olga Ovcharenko and her family made the choice to run and live to fight another day.
((NARRATOR))
((COURTESY: RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY))
With Russian troops just a kilometer away and missiles landing
((END COURTESY)
a few meters from her home, Ovcharenko, her husband and daughter packed a few things and – with their pets – left.
((NARRATOR))
As they fled west on a highway, Ovcharenko says the Russians continued to attack and all she could think of was saving her daughter.
((Olga Ovcharenko, Irpin Resident)) ((FEMALE IN UKRAINIAN, VO))
“We said to her if something happens, you just get out of the car, crawl out. Don’t look at me and dad. We are adults, we can handle ourselves. You also don't look at the animals, we can handle them too. You climb out of the car, look for people in Ukrainian uniforms, or people with children to help you.”
((NARRATOR))
On that day, they were sure that it would be a one-way trip.
((Olga Ovcharenko, Irpin Resident)) ((FEMALE IN UKRAINIAN, VO))
“We thought there would be nothing to come back to.”
((NARRATOR))
Olga’s mother, Maria Bovenko, had to be convinced to flee.
((Maria Bovenko, Olga’s Mother)) ((FEMALE IN UKRAINIAN, VO))
“I never thought people could be so inhuman. I thought it would not continue, that they would go anyway.”
((NARRATOR))
In time, they decided to stop running away. They came back...to a home that was devastated. The Russian assault spared nothing. The neighboring Bucha was the scene of a massacre – so far one of the conflict’s worst atrocities.
((Slava Ovcharenko, Olga’s Husband)) ((MALE IN UKRAINIAN, VO))
“This is the most damaged building in our neighborhood because it is the highest one (in Irpin) and Bucha is very visible from here; and since the Russians came (to Irpin) from Bucha, there was an observation post of the Ukrainian forces. I counted at least 23 artillery hits on the front side.”
Months later, the buildings are still in ruins. But the biggest tragedy in Irpin is the broken lives and lives lost.
((Slava Ovcharenko, Olga’s Husband)) ((MALE IN UKRAINIAN, VO))
“There are mass graves here in the square. Nineteen people were buried. They were our neighbors.”
((NARRATOR))
People here have no idea when peace will return. What is certain is that life will never be the same. But to people like Olga Ovcharenko, who choseto come back, living to see another day gives them hope that one day they will rebuild their homes and their lives.
((ANNA CHERNIKOVA, FOR VOA NEWS, IRPIN, UKRAINE))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Irpin, Ukraine
Embargo DateJune 15, 2022 16:41 EDT
Byline ((ANNA CHERNIKOVA, FOR VOA NEWS, IRPIN, UKRAINE))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
