What do you know about the tragedy in the village of Yahidne, Chernihiv region? During the occupation, 365 villagers, including 73 children, were locked in the basement of the local school for 28 days. Many people died: some were shot, some suffocated, and some even lost their minds. When the Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated the village and we entered the basement, what we saw shocked even us. People were forced to sleep standing up due to the lack of space. The youngest child at the time of the liberation was just four months old. The world must know the truth. This episode tells the story of broken lives, hope, and the price the Ukrainian people pay for freedom and for becoming the human shield of the world.

Victoria Kovalenko remembers that moment well. Nine days after the war began, she and her husband Petro decided to leave Chernihiv to keep their children safe. Their eldest daughter was twelve years old, and their youngest just one year old. As they left the city, stones blocked their path. Petro got out of the car to move them, and their car came under fire. Their daughter Veronika began screaming and ran. Victoria followed her but then saw Veronika fall... This episode explores the pain of loss that so many Ukrainian families face during the war.

We dive into the memories of Oksana Tunyk, the daughter of the flight engineer of the world's largest aircraft, "Mriya." She survived the Russian occupation in the Irpin area, near the famous Bucha. Unfortunately, the "Mriya" aircraft was destroyed by the Russians in the first days of the war. This episode shows how the loss of a great symbol of Ukraine affected the families connected to it.

This episode tells the story of Iryna and her large family, who found themselves surrounded near Chernihiv during the war. They hid in a basement, where the children learned to survive under constant shelling. They even invented a game called "bomb shelter," which became part of their daily life. This episode explores how children adapted to the conditions of war.

This episode tells the story of Alla Volkova from Mariupol, who, together with her family, survived the siege of the city. They were forced to hide in their house's basement as the city was constantly shelled. Cut off from the world without electricity, water, and gas, they fought for survival until an evacuation corridor was opened, allowing them to escape. This is a story of resilience, faith in a better future, and hope for victory.

Alyona, a resident of the legendary city of Hulyaipole, shares her tragic story that began on the first day of the invasion. She speaks of losing contact with her loved ones, living in constant fear under bombardment, and the uncertainty of what happened to her family and home. Her testimony reflects the resilience of the human spirit and the hope of returning home after the war.

This episode tells the story of Tetiana, a mother of two children, who stayed in Mykolaiv during the war. She shares her experiences of losing her home, living in constant fear, and her efforts to keep her children safe. She talks about working at a hotel that became their temporary refuge and her determination to teach her children the Ukrainian language despite being surrounded by Russian influence. This is a story of resilience and the willpower of those who stayed in a city slowly turning into a graveyard.

This episode tells the story of the Sinenko family from Kharkiv, who were forced to leave the city after a shell exploded near their house. They struggled with survival and volunteered to help others. This is a story about the strength of family during the war.

This episode contrasts two families who survived the war together in a bomb shelter. One family has lost faith in the future, while the other finds positivity in even the most difficult circumstances. The key event is the joint birthday celebration of two girls in the bomb shelter, which united the families and symbolized different paths to survival.

This episode tells the story of a child who grew up in a bomb shelter at a strategic enterprise. A young mother shares memories of her son, who took his first steps underground. The bomb shelter became their real home. You will also see what Russia has done to Kharkiv and the North Saltivka area.

We present the feature film Children of Bomb Shelters.