Resilience Amidst Turmoil: A Ukrainian Family's Struggle Near the Frontline

Yevheniia Stepanets and her family returned to Sumy, Ukraine, after fleeing to Poland when Russia invaded in 2022. Despite drone threats and missile strikes, they remain in the often-attacked city. A recent attack wounded 101 people, escalating their uncertainty. Amidst emotional stress, the family contemplates leaving again.

Yevheniia Stepanets, 42, grappled with the aftermath of a Russian missile strike on her apartment block in Sumy, Ukraine, on Monday. Officials reported 101 injuries, including 23 children, as the blast damaged buildings and shattered lives.

Despite initial refuge in Poland post-2022 invasion, Stepanets returned at her children's request. Now, with three years of conflict unresolved, mounting attacks on Sumy challenge her resolve to stay.

Her daughter, Anna Serdiuk, recounts the constant fear under the looming threat of death, as daily life teeters on the brink. The family faces an uncertain future, confronting the prospect of fleeing once more.