Before the invasion, they lived a good life in Kherson at the mouth of the Dnipro River. Grandma Olga, her son Andrii, her spouse Anastasia and their little son Maxim lived in the house. – We had dreams and plans for our lives. When the city was occupied, everything changed. We were afraid of being killed, says Andrii. Little Maxim was afraid of bombings, shootings and occupation. Everyday life became dangerous and unpredictable. And little Maxim, who was only one and a half years old at the time, was scared. – He cried and hid because of the loud noises. Then I said that “this is a warning bell. We have to go,” says Andrii. news meets him and his family in Vestnes, south of Molde. Here the three have been granted residence. The parents receive Norwegian lessons and Maxim has been given a place in a nursery school. Anastasia, Maxim and Andrii do not know how long they will stay in Norway. It is difficult to plan for the future. Photo: Marit Kolberg / news Back in Kherson is Olga. She didn’t want to leave her home country as the three got into the car and drove east towards Georgia. – I am a strong woman, but being separated from them broke me completely. I survived the occupation and the bombing of Kherson. I survived everything. But being separated from them broke me completely, she says to news. These four are just one of many thousands of families who have been separated because of the war in the country. – What has this war done to all Ukrainian families? Olga asks, choking back tears. Wanted to save her son from the war While Andrii is of fighting age, there are no authorities who would keep Olga if she wants to leave the country. Nevertheless, she chooses to stay. – I decided to live with the suffering of the war. I want to show that we will not let ourselves be broken, that we can handle this. I want to see Ukraine’s victory when I am in Ukraine. Maybe I have also stayed behind to look after the house. So they have a home to come back to, she says. Andrii says he has thought a lot about the fact that he, who is only 30 years old, left Ukraine. He says the main reason is that Anastasia refuses to live in another country without him. So if he goes back, she goes along with their little son. – As long as we are here, my son is safe. In Norway, Maxim is safe and happy. But he is still afraid of the sound of fireworks. Photo: Marit Kolberg / news Visit to Norway Olga has been to Norway twice. A bus trip of 40 hours before she got on by plane was like nothing, as long as she got to meet them, she says. – To be able to hold them again, kiss them, hug them. I felt alive again. The joy of being together again was indescribable. She says that she could sit for long periods just looking at them. – That’s how it should have been. It was like a miracle to be with them again. Dad Andrii says that Maxim wouldn’t stop hugging grandma when she came to Vestnes. – The first thing he did in the morning was to check that she hadn’t left. Here in Vestnes, the family of three has got a place to live. Photo: Marit Kolberg / news But now she is back in Kherson. There will perhaps be another trip to Norway before Christmas. Olga supports the decision the young parents have made. She says Andrii makes sure her grandson lives safely. – We want Max to grow up, for him to survive. There are no places here in Kherson that are safe. Leave them in Norway, she says firmly. Hear Olga and Andrii tell their story here:
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When the war separates the family – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
