A Ukrainian woman in Quebec learns of the death of her husband in Bakhmout

BET À DAY

A Ukrainian refugee living in Quebec has been going through difficult times since the announcement of the death of her husband on the battlefield, in Bakhmout, in the Donbass.

In the Ukrainian community of Quebec, help is being organized to allow the lady to attend the funeral in Ukraine.

Ilona Melnychenko, 32, arrived in the province a few months with her 10-year-old daughter.

At the end of her resources, the lady was fortunately able to count on the generosity of representatives of the Ukrainian community.

Thanks to the funds raised, the refugee will be able to travel to Ukraine to say a final goodbye to her husband, Victor.

A representative of Ukrainians in Quebec explains the difficulty that refugees live with the uncertainty of what is happening in their native country. 

“Monday evening, I came to see her and I can tell you that it is difficult. Looking into the eyes of a 32-year-old woman who has lost her husband [is difficult] […]. Finally, a day before her daughter's birthday, they learned [that he had] been killed,” said Nataliya Lityuk, who was able to speak to the refugee before she left.

Refugees, settled thousands of kilometers from their homes, fear receiving bad news; this is the harsh reality of Ukrainians who have fled the war.

Organizations offer their support to these vulnerable people, who often live in uncertainty.

“It is a daily stress. Every day, I see women struggling to learn French, to raise their children through it […]; they are extremely courageous women. When Ilona returns, she will need moral and psychological support, as will her daughter,” says Luce Dubé, head of the Reception and Action Committee for Ukrainian Refugees.

Recall that heavy fighting is underway in the Donbass, particularly in Bakhmout, where the positions of Ukrainian soldiers are constantly shelled by Russian artillery.