Oлена Мордік, a veteran of the Azov regiment, recently recounted her harrowing experiences during captivity in Russia, where she and fellow detainees created culinary recipes as a means of coping with hunger. These recipes, which she managed to smuggle out, serve as a testament to resilience amid adversity.
Mордік, who met with us at the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Museum, had just returned from Italy, where she was part of a delegation of women who lost loved ones in the ongoing conflict. The group presented a modern art piece titled “Pietà,” reinterpreting Michelangelo’s masterpiece through the lens of contemporary war tragedies.
While in Italy, Мордік visited the museum of Joseph Slipyi, a prominent Ukrainian Greek Catholic archbishop who endured 18 years in Soviet labor camps. Among the exhibits were personal items he had brought back from his time in captivity. This experience resonated deeply with Мордік, who reflected on the unchanging nature of oppression in Russia.
“We understood that we could die, and we were prepared for that,” she stated, recalling her family’s escape from the Russian occupation of Donetsk in 2014. After relocating to Mariupol, her husband, Сергій, enlisted in the military, joining the Azov regiment, while Мордік took charge of a military sewing workshop.
As the conflict escalated, the couple faced increasing danger. On February 24, 2022, the day of Russia’s full-scale invasion, they were stationed at Azovstal, a steel plant that became a focal point of resistance. Communication between them became sporadic, and they often feared for each other’s safety amidst relentless bombardments.
In late April, Мордік received orders to create flags for civilians attempting to evacuate Azovstal. It was during this task that she had a brief but joyous reunion with her husband, only to lose him the very next day to enemy fire.
After a devastating airstrike on May 8, which resulted in numerous casualties, Мордік survived against the odds, despite sustaining serious injuries. She described the dire conditions in the aftermath, including a lack of medical supplies and food.
On May 18, after enduring 120 days of captivity, she and over two thousand others were taken prisoner by Russian forces. The conditions in the prison camp were harsh, with inadequate food and water. To cope with the hunger, Мордік and her fellow detainees began writing down culinary recipes, using scraps of paper and pencils they managed to acquire.
“We wrote recipes and imagined the taste of the food,” she recalled, emphasizing the importance of these memories in maintaining their spirits. Despite the grim circumstances, they found solace in the act of sharing and preserving their culinary heritage.
After her release, Мордік was able to bring these recipes back to civilian life, where she has since used them to reconnect with her family. She has also been active in raising awareness about the plight of her fellow veterans still imprisoned in Russia.
Reflecting on her journey, Мордік expressed her commitment to helping other veterans reintegrate into society. She has become involved in various initiatives aimed at supporting those affected by the war, including mentoring programs and outdoor retreats designed to aid in the transition from military to civilian life.
“My mission now is to help veterans return from the horrors of war,” she stated, underscoring her dedication to fostering healing and resilience among her peers.
Oлена Мордік, a veteran of the Azov regiment, shares her experiences of captivity in Russia, where she and fellow detainees created culinary recipes to cope with hunger. Her story highlights resilience and the importance of preserving cultural heritage during times of conflict.
