Conversation with Pavlo, a Ukrainian Veteran

"Everyone thought that the war would be over soon," Pavlo said. "The coat of arms is depicted with a sword because we will fight for our freedom until the end."

In this video, Lena visits with Pavlo Sokalenko, a Ukrainian veteran. Pavlo shares about some of his time on the frontlines, explaining that he was part of a few counterattacks. His family experienced Russian occupation for 33 days before they were liberated.

The war made him an amputee, but he is proud to have defended his country. Now, Pavlo is working on writing a book based on his experiences during the full-scale war.

Lena met with Pavlo in December of 2024 at the hospital where he is recovering. We are honored that he chose to share his story with us. May Pavlo's story remind us why we continue to support Ukrainians who have had their lives altered forever by Russia's invasion.