I once knew a Ukrainian woman named Olena. She worked in a luggage store in Portland, Oregon. I often think about her, and wonder how she is doing. She used to go home to Ukraine every year.
We have tens of thousands of Ukrainians and other eastern Europeans and Russians who live together in the Northwest.
This story breaks my heart, but I won’t let it make me feel helpless. We owe it to these children to never allow ourselves to feel helpless. We must continue to demand better of our country and our fellow voters and our absurd President.
Thank you for these kind words! I too often think of the fallen, especially the children, during moments of despair. They were meant to live happy, full lives. And remembering them gives me the strength not to give up, because if we do, their sacrifice risks losing its meaning....
As hard as it was to read today's report, it must have been even harder for Artem to write it. Thank you for completing and sharing this daunting contribution! Articles like these, as horrible as they are, open our eyes even a bit wider and strengthen our common resolve for final justice. It is my prayer.
Before this article I never knew that thanatopractitioners existed. This was a good but heart wrenching article and part of me wishes I still didn’t know this job existed. As I read the articles in this Substack it continues to highlight that a country’s war effort isn’t just direct fighting. Serving comes in many forms.
RE: “For parents, organizing a funeral involves rituals that allow them to gradually accept their loss.” Every culture has ways for the bereaved to deal with the pain of a loved one’s death, but that should never have to be parents for their children.
This was a beautiful, heartbreaking piece by your intern. I admire both his skill and that of his subject’s.
For some reason, I kept thinking of the thousands of Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia while reading this. According to some reports, the older children are being trained as soldiers to turn more Ukrainian parents into mourners.
After this hellish war ends, there must be Nuremberg-level trials for the criminals in the Kremlin and Russian war machine.
Absolutely agree. A few months ago, I attended the funeral of my friend — he was a soldier, forever 23 years old. Seeing his parents say goodbye to their child is a true violation of the natural order. It’s incredibly hard and unbearable.
Wolfgang's comment is what I was going to write. My heart breaks for all who have to witness the killing of the most innocent. And I thank Olena for her gifts to help the survivors. Such burdens should never have to be carried. 💔
Most jarring image for me — the lineup of pastel coffins— colors well suited for a child’s bedroom decor — for a clothes dresser or bedspread perhaps. Curtains even.
It’s such a heartbreaking contrast — soft, gentle colors usually tied to childhood innocence, now standing for pain and loss. This image really crushes the heart...
So difficult to read, so very sad. All deaths in wartime are sad, of course, but the death of children, who have yet to experience what life has to offer, is especially distressing. Condolences seem quite inadequate.
Artem, this was a beautifully written article. The burial of children who are victims of the war is heartbreaking . I think your portrayal of Olen was so descriptive.. Her professional standards are so amazing . She provides a valuable service to the parents.
Such a devastating story. As a mother, I feel like my life would be over if I lost my children, so I can only imagine the agony -- agony bigger than your body, mind, or soul, uncontainable. I read also about the Ukrainian girl seeking cancer treatments in Israel who was killed by Iranian bombing, along with her mother, grandmother, and cousins... I admit I was relieved when I heard the mother was also found dead, because to live after that would be so hard. The father they said is fighting on the front lines and somehow has to go on after this has happened. They said the cousins joined her in Israel because the bombing had been bad in Odesa and they were scared. But with this many bad actors and all these deadly weapons, there are perhaps too few safe places in the world for children. :(
This just breaks my heart... The pain is beyond anything imaginable. What’s especially terrifying is realizing there are fewer and fewer safe places for children in the world. I really want to believe that one day this nightmare will end...
This was a timely read because last night I went to a photography exhibit featuring photos of parents who had lost their children to gun violence. They all memorialized their children in profound ways and sought comfort from each other, and committed to working for a future where other parents would not share their fate.
I posted this piece to my notes. I fully related to the anguish. The burial customs practiced by Ukrainians are also typical for us in the African American community and for the same reasons. What makes it even worse for me beside my abhorrence of the practice, is that we in the west are as much to blame for the deaths of Ukraine’s future as Putin. By ignoring endless calls for assistance in protecting the skies over Ukraine we have, in affect, told Putin that the lives of these children don’t matter so misiles and drones away. I am so ashamed.
I once knew a Ukrainian woman named Olena. She worked in a luggage store in Portland, Oregon. I often think about her, and wonder how she is doing. She used to go home to Ukraine every year.
We have tens of thousands of Ukrainians and other eastern Europeans and Russians who live together in the Northwest.
This story breaks my heart, but I won’t let it make me feel helpless. We owe it to these children to never allow ourselves to feel helpless. We must continue to demand better of our country and our fellow voters and our absurd President.
Thank you for these kind words! I too often think of the fallen, especially the children, during moments of despair. They were meant to live happy, full lives. And remembering them gives me the strength not to give up, because if we do, their sacrifice risks losing its meaning....
As hard as it was to read today's report, it must have been even harder for Artem to write it. Thank you for completing and sharing this daunting contribution! Articles like these, as horrible as they are, open our eyes even a bit wider and strengthen our common resolve for final justice. It is my prayer.
Thank you to all Counteroffensive journalists for such remarkably amazing reporting! Your articles jar me out of my comfortable existence.
How do I donate to your current fundraiser for journalist “sleep essentials”? Tip jar ?
Yes, you can access our tip jar here! https://donate.stripe.com/fZe29k5II6HNbE4dQQ
Before this article I never knew that thanatopractitioners existed. This was a good but heart wrenching article and part of me wishes I still didn’t know this job existed. As I read the articles in this Substack it continues to highlight that a country’s war effort isn’t just direct fighting. Serving comes in many forms.
I completely agree. This article also left a heavy feeling in me — as if you open the door to yet another room of war you never even knew existed.
RE: “For parents, organizing a funeral involves rituals that allow them to gradually accept their loss.” Every culture has ways for the bereaved to deal with the pain of a loved one’s death, but that should never have to be parents for their children.
This was a beautiful, heartbreaking piece by your intern. I admire both his skill and that of his subject’s.
For some reason, I kept thinking of the thousands of Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia while reading this. According to some reports, the older children are being trained as soldiers to turn more Ukrainian parents into mourners.
After this hellish war ends, there must be Nuremberg-level trials for the criminals in the Kremlin and Russian war machine.
Absolutely!
Absolutely agree. A few months ago, I attended the funeral of my friend — he was a soldier, forever 23 years old. Seeing his parents say goodbye to their child is a true violation of the natural order. It’s incredibly hard and unbearable.
I am sorry for your loss.
Wolfgang's comment is what I was going to write. My heart breaks for all who have to witness the killing of the most innocent. And I thank Olena for her gifts to help the survivors. Such burdens should never have to be carried. 💔
Most jarring image for me — the lineup of pastel coffins— colors well suited for a child’s bedroom decor — for a clothes dresser or bedspread perhaps. Curtains even.
It’s such a heartbreaking contrast — soft, gentle colors usually tied to childhood innocence, now standing for pain and loss. This image really crushes the heart...
Yet again I am awestruck by the bravery and strength of Ukrainians, this time Olena. Thank the gods that she is willing to do what she does.
And Marianna....when is the baby due? All of you, stay safe and thank you.
Thank you...from my heart...
So difficult to read, so very sad. All deaths in wartime are sad, of course, but the death of children, who have yet to experience what life has to offer, is especially distressing. Condolences seem quite inadequate.
Artem, this was a beautifully written article. The burial of children who are victims of the war is heartbreaking . I think your portrayal of Olen was so descriptive.. Her professional standards are so amazing . She provides a valuable service to the parents.
Thank you, Artem, for reminding us of what war really is.
And thank you, Ukraine, for not answering Russian bestial behavior with bestial behavior, for helping the world to believe in angels.
Such a devastating story. As a mother, I feel like my life would be over if I lost my children, so I can only imagine the agony -- agony bigger than your body, mind, or soul, uncontainable. I read also about the Ukrainian girl seeking cancer treatments in Israel who was killed by Iranian bombing, along with her mother, grandmother, and cousins... I admit I was relieved when I heard the mother was also found dead, because to live after that would be so hard. The father they said is fighting on the front lines and somehow has to go on after this has happened. They said the cousins joined her in Israel because the bombing had been bad in Odesa and they were scared. But with this many bad actors and all these deadly weapons, there are perhaps too few safe places in the world for children. :(
This just breaks my heart... The pain is beyond anything imaginable. What’s especially terrifying is realizing there are fewer and fewer safe places for children in the world. I really want to believe that one day this nightmare will end...
This was a timely read because last night I went to a photography exhibit featuring photos of parents who had lost their children to gun violence. They all memorialized their children in profound ways and sought comfort from each other, and committed to working for a future where other parents would not share their fate.
That must have been a rough experience to see. We've been observing a lot of that here -- people motivated to action by the war.
Same colors for life and death
I posted this piece to my notes. I fully related to the anguish. The burial customs practiced by Ukrainians are also typical for us in the African American community and for the same reasons. What makes it even worse for me beside my abhorrence of the practice, is that we in the west are as much to blame for the deaths of Ukraine’s future as Putin. By ignoring endless calls for assistance in protecting the skies over Ukraine we have, in affect, told Putin that the lives of these children don’t matter so misiles and drones away. I am so ashamed.