“The story of 18-year-old Artem is an impressive example of indomitability and desire for freedom. The young man traveled more than 3,000 kilometers to escape from the annexed Sevastopol to free Kyiv, choosing a risky path instead of serving in the occupying army. Artem told his story to Suspilne Crimea. Artem moved to Crimea as a child, and his growing up was accompanied by constant Russian propaganda. He mentions how else”, — write on: ua.news
The story of 18-year-old Artem is an impressive example of indomitability and desire for freedom. The young man traveled more than 3,000 kilometers to escape from the annexed Sevastopol to free Kyiv, choosing a risky path instead of serving in the occupying army.
Artem told his story to Suspilne Crimea.
Artem moved to Crimea as a child, and his growing up was accompanied by constant Russian propaganda. He recalls how in the second grade he was reprimanded by the school psychologist for shouting “Glory to Ukraine”, who tried to scare the child with fictional stories about the Nazis. Dreaming of journalism, the boy was forced to study as an IT specialist, as he understood that honest journalism was impossible in the conditions of occupation, and he categorically did not want to be part of the propaganda machine.
The critical moment was the summons to the Russian army. Despite his health problems (kidney disease), the occupation medical commission found him fit for service. The fear of ending up in the army of the aggressor country forced Artem to act decisively. Having collected the funds, he secretly left his parents for an alleged trip to Rostov, but in fact he was heading for the border with Belarus.
With the help of Ukrainian volunteers, Artem was able to make a safe route. In Belarus, he turned to the Ukrainian consulate, where he quickly received a “white passport” – a certificate for returning to Ukraine. After passing checks at the checkpoint, the boy finally found himself in the territory controlled by Ukraine, where he was met by volunteers.
Artem has been living in the capital for over a month. He admits that one of the strongest impressions for him was the Anthem of Ukraine, which he heard for the first time in his life at the train station at seven in the morning. Now the young man is focused on completing Ukrainian documents and is preparing to enter his dream faculty of journalism. His story is a manifesto of a generation that, despite years of isolation and under the pressure of propaganda, preserved its identity and loyalty to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, on December 16, a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada’s human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets with the Russian so-called ombudsman Tetyana Moskalkova took place on the border with Belarus, with the participation of representatives of the Red Cross. The main result was the return to Ukraine of 15 citizens, most of whom have limited mobility.
US First Lady Melania Trump welcomes the progress in the implementation of the initiative to reunite the children of “Russia and Ukraine”.
Russia is re-educating captured Ukrainian children not only in its own centers and camps, but also involved its new partner – North Korea.
the story of 18-year-old Artem is an impressive example of indomitability and desire for freedom. The young man traveled more than 3,000 kilometers to escape from the annexed Sevastopol to free Kyiv, choosing a risky path instead of serving in the occupying army.
Life under the pressure of occupation
Artem moved to Crimea as a child, and his growing up was accompanied by constant Russian propaganda. He recalls how in the second grade he was reprimanded by the school psychologist for shouting “Glory to Ukraine”, who tried to scare the child with fictional stories about the Nazis. Dreaming of journalism, the boy was forced to study as an IT specialist, as he understood that honest journalism was impossible in the conditions of occupation, and he categorically did not want to be part of the propaganda machine.
Escape from conscription
The critical moment was the summons to the Russian army. Despite his health problems (kidney disease), the occupation medical commission found him fit for service. The fear of ending up in the army of the aggressor country forced Artem to act decisively. Having collected the funds, he secretly left his parents for an alleged trip to Rostov, but in fact he was heading for the border with Belarus.
The way home through Belarus
With the help of Ukrainian volunteers, Artem was able to make a safe route. In Belarus, he turned to the Ukrainian consulate, where he quickly received a “white passport” – a certificate for returning to Ukraine. After passing checks at the checkpoint, the boy finally found himself in the territory controlled by Ukraine, where he was met by volunteers.
A new stage in Kyiv
Artem has been living in the capital for over a month. He admits that one of the strongest impressions for him was the Anthem of Ukraine, which he heard for the first time in his life at the train station at seven in the morning. Now the young man is focused on completing Ukrainian documents and is preparing to enter his dream faculty of journalism. His story is a manifesto of a generation that, despite years of isolation and under the pressure of propaganda, preserved its identity and loyalty to Ukraine.
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