The psychological scars still give Aurika Olkhova nightmares and loud noises trigger memories of the bombings, but ‘the girls are happy’ in Quebec
alive after enduring weeks of bombing by the Russian army in the city of Mariupol – including at the maternity hospital.
The traumatic journey started when 10-year-old Vladyslava was struck in the leg by a piece of shrapnel in March 2022 when a Russian bomb fell on the home of family friends they were staying with in Mariupol, in southern Ukraine. “It was hell outside, and it was hell inside that hospital basement,” Olkhova recounted through an interpreter in a recent interview from her home in St-Bruno-de-Montarville, Que., east of Montreal.Then the Russians bombed the hospital. The attack, which Ukrainian authorities called a “war crime,” made headlines around the world. One pregnant woman was carried out on a stretcher after the bombing and died shortly after, along with her baby.
“To this day, I am still amazed that so many of these patients survived,” she said. “I tried to help the wounded in any way that I could. There were a few of us helping. We tried to find medication and equipment. We found gas, and we used it to sterilize instruments.” Initially, Vladyslava would not allow anyone – not even doctors – to touch her leg wounds, Olkhova said. The little girl was limping and could not keep her balance.
“The family did not speak the language; they were without insurance, and they didn’t even have their refugee papers yet,” Ingelmo said. “We needed to bring her in because these people were completely alone.”
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Justin Trudeau shrugs off ‘Russian hackers’ as Ukrainian prime minister visits CanadaPrime Minister Justin Trudeau swept aside concerns Tuesday over reports that Russian-linked hackers took down his website and compromised Canadian energy infrastructure, while touting new support for Ukraine during Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal’s first official visit to Canada.
Read more »
Quebec ice storm: Thousands remain without power Monday morningAsked why the utility doesn\u0027t have more people working to restore power, Hydro\u002DQuébec responded that more staff wouldn\u0027t speed up the process, but instead would create logistical problems.
Read more »
Quebec premier slammed for tweeting pro-Catholicism message on Easter MondayQuebec Premier François Legault criticized for romanticizing the Catholic religion
Read more »
Power line repairs continue in Quebec as officials warn of carbon monoxide poisoningOne man is dead and more than 180 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning reported in wake of the province\u0027s recent ice storm
Read more »