Not long ago, you and I could have greeted each other in person, but now the only way left is through printed words…

My name is Mark, and I was born and lived in the beautiful city of Kharkiv. I was my parents’ only child, the one they lost on October 30, 2024, when an aerial bomb struck our apartment.

I was the son of a mother and father who had long dreamed of having a baby. All their love and attention belonged to me. I grew up full of energy, loved running, riding my scooter and bicycle, and playing with other kids. In kindergarten, I enjoyed taking part in celebrations. I liked dancing and singing, and I loved basketball and football too.

My parents and I would stroll through parks, spend vacations by the sea and in our country house. I also took part in my mother’s work. She designed children’s clothing, and her brand was dedicated to me. Sometimes I grew tired of being her little model, but I still liked posing for photos and being in the spotlight.

I dreamed of becoming an esports player one day. I knew that English would be essential for that, so I studied it enthusiastically.

But my dreams will never come true because Russian forces insidiously dropped an aerial bomb on our home. My dear mother barely survived. Now she wants the world to know and see the truth about what the Russian military is doing…