98-Year-Old Ukrainian Woman Walks 10km Under Shelling to Escape Russian Occupation

Lidia Stepanivna, a 98-year-old Ukrainian woman, walked 10 kilometers (6 miles) under shelling, without food or water, to escape the Russian-occupied village of Ocheretyne in Donetsk and reach Kyiv-controlled territory. Stepanivna supported herself with sticks, slept on the ground, and fell several times during her harrowing experience, but her unwavering "character" kept her going.

In a video posted by Ukraine's police, Stepanivna recounted her experience, comparing the current war to World War II. "I survived World War II, and I will survive this war," she said. However, she noted that the destruction in the current conflict is far worse, with houses burning and trees being uprooted. "During World War II, not a single house in the village burned down."

Stepanivna was discovered by Ukraine's military in the evening and handed over to the police, who took her to a shelter for evacuees. The Ukrainian interior ministry is now searching for her relatives.

Why this matters: Lidia Stepanivna's story highlights the devastating impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine on civilians, particularly the elderly and vulnerable. Her resilience and determination to escape Russian occupation serve as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the conflict.

The war in Ukraine, which began in 2022, has claimed thousands of lives, destroyed cities and villages, and displaced millions of people. On the same day as Stepanivna's escape, a Russian missile attack on an educational institution in Odesa killed at least five people and injured 32 others, including a 4-year-old child and a pregnant woman. The strike, believed to have involved an Iskander missile armed with a cluster warhead, hit one of the most popular locations among Odesa residents and visitors.

Stepanivna's house, which she had built with her own hands, was destroyed by Russian forces, and her relatives were injured while trying to leave the village. "My house was burned to the ground, and my relatives were also affected. They were trying to leave when they were hit," she said. Despite the hardships she faced, Stepanivna's resilience and determination to reach safety have made her a symbol of the Ukrainian people's spirit in the face of adversity.

Key Takeaways

• 98-year-old Ukrainian woman walked 10km under shelling to escape Russian occupation
• Compared current war to WWII, saying destruction is far worse now
• Her house was burned down, and relatives were injured trying to leave
• Discovered by Ukraine's military and taken to a shelter for evacuees
• Her resilience and determination have made her a symbol of Ukrainian spirit