Illustrated by Sophia Tomilenko
Sofia (she asked not to disclose her last name for safety reasons) from Kyiv answers the call at work. She is 30. She is a family doctor. Now, just like before the war, she goes to work every day and consults patients. There are significantly more of them now. Sofia explains that it is because of the cold basements and anxiety. Colds and nervous excitement are more frequent now, people come for the treatment of heart disease, some people get vaccinated. Another reason for the higher workload is that many doctors and nurses have left the city.
Sofia stayed. Even on February 24, when the first explosions shook the capital, she knew she would not be leaving. Then Sofia realized that Russia had invaded Ukraine. Nevertheless, she went to work to treat people who were still getting sick during the war.
The woman is facing war for the second time. The first time was in 2014. The city in Donetsk Region where Sofia lived with her family came under the control of pro-Russian militants. So her family was forced to leave because their neighbors reported their pro-Ukrainian views to the invaders. Now Sofia is not going to leave Kyiv. She believes people need her here.
“If everyone flees, who’s going to help people?” Sofia says calmly.
“I did not feel like leaving. In 2014, during active military operations, we were at home in the Donetsk Region. We also hid in basements and went to work in the morning. My friends urge me to go to Western Ukraine or abroad. They offer me a place to stay, but people need me here. I’m staying in Kyiv with my family. That is emotionally better for me.”
Sofia is not afraid to go to work under the sounds of shelling. What is scarier for her is to see how the Russian military kills civilians, leaves children orphaned, and destroys cities.
Work distracts Sofia, she does what she can do well, she treats people. She believes that Ukrainians are on their own land, so they are bound to win. Cats and dogs are also good support.
Sofia dreams of victory for Ukraine, of defenders returning home alive and well. She also wants to go on vacation. “I don’t want to travel anywhere. I just want to stay home with my family and relax. I just want to get some sleep. I want to hear that Ukraine has won, and then I will go on vacation.”
