Borodianka is a quiet cozy town 50 km from Kyiv. 13 thousand of civilians lived here and there was not a single military facility. On March 1, 2022, the city suffered from a devastating missile strike: out of 29 high-rise buildings, only eight survived. Many houses have turned into solid ruins, the infrastructure has been destroyed, and cars have been shot on the streets. 

During 38 days of hell in the city there remained up to a thousand inhabitants. They were cut off from the whole world. The only source of news and information was radio (for those who had a battery-powered receiver). People were buried right in the yards under shelling. The total number of victims is still unknown. To date, 41 bodies have been recovered from the rubble. More than 200 people are listed as missing.

Constant shelling and the sounds of explosions, thousands of atrocities, the death of innocent people, became a new routine for civilians. Physically, they were alive, but inside there was a terrible devastation from what was happening around. People did not know what could happen with them in the next minute and when death would knock on their door. Complete helplessness. It was impossible to influence anything. Pray was all that left.

Today, some residents of Borodyanka have already returned and are trying to restore order in the city. Rescuers continue to dismantle the rubble in the streets, the settlement is being cleared of mines.

On May 4, volunteers of the “Shoulder to Shoulder” social movement set up a field kitchen on the central square of the city, near the shot monument of Taras Shevchenko. They prepared 1,000 portions of borsch, 1,000 portions of roast meat, and distributed 1,000 food parcels. The volunteers showed to the residents of Borodyanka that they are not alone, left or forgotten, and that there are people who care, who will help them get through and survive.

A native of Kyiv, a banker from Switzerland Maria Spartalis supported volunteers in a noble mission.

“It is a great honor for me to help the people in need in the Kyiv region. In difficult times of monstrous trials, we must be especially responsive to the problems of the elderly, the disabled, the orphans and families with many children. Ukrainians have always helped socially unprotected members of society to overcome difficulties, and today, in order to save each other, they risk their own lives. I would like to take this opportunity to express gratitude and appreciation to the volunteers for their selfless work, dedication, consistent and conscientious work,” said Maria Spartalis.