Borodyanka, Ukraine, continues to grapple with the aftermath of destructive bombings from the Russian invasion. The town witnessed immense tragedy when a 500-kilogram explosive reduced Mariya Vasylenko's home to rubble, resulting in the loss of her daughter and son-in-law. Despite the challenges of reconstruction, residents like Vasylenko face deep emotional scars, as illustrated by her granddaughter Milena, who has yet to recover from the trauma of losing her parents. The psychological and physical destruction remains a harsh reality for the townspeople amidst ongoing struggles for stability.
Have you ever seen hell? That's what it was, Vasylenko, 80, told Al Jazeera, reflecting on the catastrophic destruction in Borodyanka caused by the bombing.
Weeks later, Vasylenko returned to Borodyanka to bury what was left of Olena and Serhiy, revealing the immense grief amid reconstruction challenges.
Russian soldiers moved into Vasylenko's apartment for a month, leaving rubbish, excrement, and graffiti with Soviet symbols, highlighting the occupation's brutal impacts.
The trauma persists; Milena, 12, doesn't smile anymore, illustrating the deep emotional scars left by the war and loss of her parents.
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