Rayevskaya Family
About Us:
My name is Lena Rayevskaya and I am from Kharkov
I am in Australia with my 16yo son
I can’t be supported by my husband as he has stayed to repair military machinery
I am a Barber
Our Story:
Until 23 February 2022, I led an absolutely happy and carefree life. I had everything- wonderful family, beloved work, kindest colleagues, friends, plans, dreams... On that day while at work, all discussions were about the possibility of the Russian invasion. The mood was tense, but no one dared to believe that this would actually happen.
One of my colleagues told me that day about how he and his family fled the 2014 aggression in Donetsk, it was him that made me promise - if anything was to happen, that I would rescue my family. His advice - get a bag ready with crucial documents and clothes, so that if that moment came where escape was the only option, you could leave immediately. I followed through on his pleas, and packed an "escape bag" that day.
We had lots of plans for end of February, start of March, from home renovations to a trip to Budapest for my birthday but on the 24/02 we woke up from the sounds of explosions. It was in that moment that everyone realised - it began. The shooting was happening right next to our house. In complete panic we grabbed the "escape bag" and ran. Ran into the unknown without any specific destination - just to get as far away as possible.
A week on the road was unforgettable. Fighter jets and helicopters flew so low overhead that the car would swerve to the curb losing all control, there were tanks and strikes everywhere. Everyone was in shock and panic, horrible traffic jams, horrified and scared people, closed stores with no supplies. Barely any food and working petrol stations. And there we were driving without any plan - just driving as far away as we could.
At a village near Lviv, a grandfather sheltered us at his home. He lent us the clothes off his back, allowed us to bathe and rest for a night... Then came a warning that there might be an explosion at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station in southeastern Ukraine, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe! After what we knew happened at Chernobyl, my husband said we have to rescue our son and get as far away from here as possible. He told me we must leave, he would be at peace as long as he knew we were safe. He brought us to the border and waved us goodbye. He stayed to help the resistance in a way he knows how, he fixes heavy machinery.
And here we are. We are so broken, mentally and physically. There is so much death.. so many people who lost everything - their lives, their future, their families..so much sadness. I believe we have to live! We must find a way to live!
Lena Rayevskaya