In brief
As Russian forces continue their advance, Natalia has moved her husband Vitaly's grave from their hometown of Slovyansk to Kyiv for safety. Vitaly, a patriotic ceramics artist, died in the conflict three years ago. Natalia's decision underscores the fears of countless Ukrainians as the war intensifies, particularly in regions close to the current frontlines.
The quiet of a Kyiv cemetery is broken by a trumpet salute, then a burst of rifle fire. Soldiers stretch a Ukrainian flag over a shiny wooden coffin and stand silently alongside in the sparkling white snow. A woman cries, her face crumpling. Natalia is burying her husband for the second time. Vitaly was killed three years ago fighting in the eastern Donbas, and his first grave was in their home town of Slovyansk. But Russian forces have advanced since then, and the area is increasingly under attack.So Natalia had her husband's grave exhumed and Vitaly's remains moved hundreds of miles to Ukraine's capital. When we buried him in Slovyansk, land was being liberated and we thought the war would soon end, Natalia explains, after the reburial ceremony conducted with military honours. But the frontline is constantly moving closer and I was scared Vitaly might end up under occupation.Vitaly, a ceramics artist who volunteered to defend his country in the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion, reflects the sacrifice many Ukrainians are making. Natalia was pregnant when he was killed, and he never got to meet their daughter. It was very hard, emotionally. But it was the right decision, she says about moving his remains to Kyiv. Now, she feels relief knowing they can visit him safely.The ongoing war has forced many Ukrainian families into unimaginable situations, as aerial attacks continue to disrupt daily life. The tension is palpable as negotiations for peace take place while the reality on the ground remains dire. In the midst of such uncertainty, Natalia’s poignant choice reflects the deeply personal struggles faced by those who have lost loved ones in this brutal conflict.
