Protective mother: Olha “Fenix”

Olha “Fenix” is a paramedic. Her path is not easy and it is dramatic. Olha is a mother of two children, son and daughter, and she joined the army to replace her severely wounded son. Unfortunately, she did not make it.

What do children mean to you, how did you keep in touch with them? 

My daughter is my support. She is 19 years old. I live for her. And my sworn brothers – they are all like children to me. I could not save my son, but I can save someone’s child, someone’s brother, someone’s husband. I have this opportunity. That is why I am here.

I always have my son’s old tourniquet with me, a silver bracelet and a bracelet made of fabric in the shape of a flag – once he gave it to me and said, “You can take it off, mum, when I come back”.

How and when did you decide to fight? 

I made this decision in the summer of 2023. At that time, my son already had 4 injuries and 6 contusions. He had seizures that made me scream. And because it was an assault brigade and he was a good commander, it was very difficult to write him off. Unfortunately, this happens in our ranks. I decided to replace him in the Avdiivka direction. At that time, he was holding the defence of Marinka. I deliberately went to study to be a grenade launcher to replace him at the frontline. But, unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way. We were a little late. Our order to replace him was for 16 October, and on 14 October my son died. 

As the mother of the deceased, I have the opportunity to complete my service. But I don’t want to leave my guys. I know they need me. I know I can help them and teach them something. Moreover, I am also a medical instructor, and a combat medic now.

How did your family accept your decision?

In 2022, the father of my children, my ex-husband, with whom we had a very warm and friendly relationship, died. The children loved him very much, and he loved the children. He always helped us. In 2022, on 6 September, he died. It was our first loss in the war. Then my son died. For the 11 months of the war, we have lost not only our father and son, but also three very dear and close people. And my daughter took my decision to join the army very hard. She is very worried and afraid of losing me. My daughter’s boyfriend is also a soldier. And she tells me and her boyfriend, “I live only on those days when you come home. All the rest of the time, I don’t live – I ‘exist’.” She is very afraid of losing us.