"Nataliia Khodymchuk, who lived in a Soviet-era apartment building known as the 'Chernobyl House,' was the widow of Valerii Khodemchuk, the first victim of the nuclear disaster. His remains were never recovered, lost beneath the reactor's debris."
"Despite her health challenges, Nataliia chose to remain in her apartment during Russian air strikes, referring to her hallway as her 'bunker' for protection. She spent her last evening preserving food and knitting for soldiers."
Nataliia Khodymchuk, aged seventy-three, lived in Kyiv's 'Chernobyl House,' a residence for families displaced by the 1986 disaster. Her husband, Valerii, was the first victim of the nuclear meltdown, with his remains never recovered. Nataliia raised their two children alone, who now live abroad. Despite her age and health issues, she refused to seek shelter during Russian air strikes, preferring to stay in her apartment. Her last evening involved preserving food and knitting for Ukrainian soldiers, reflecting her resilience amid ongoing conflict.
Read at The New Yorker
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