The story of a Mariupol citizen who had to flee to Finland because of Russia/Channel 24 collage
Because of the Russian invaders, 22-year-old Nikita was forced to flee his home twice in his life. In 2014 – from Donetsk, and in 2022 – from Mariupol.
The young man told the War Stories platform about hard trials, shelling, nights in the basement and the way to Finland, which shared an exclusive story with Channel 24.
The family thought that they would return to Donetsk
In 2014, Nikita's family left their hometown and moved to Ukrainian government-controlled territory. During the 8-year occupation, the settlers visited Donetsk several times. They hoped that sooner or later the city would be de-occupied, and it would be possible to return to their native walls. However, later the family realized that there would still be no more and it was necessary to start life anew.
Nikita began to develop and settle down in Mariupol. However, on February 24, 2022, his life changed again. It was not possible to live in peace.
A day later, water and electricity disappeared in the city: what was the beginning of the war in Mariupol
The situation in Mariupol began to deteriorate rapidly. The very next day, from the beginning of a full-scale war on the Left Bank, electricity and water supply disappeared. Nikita had to fetch water to the sound of artillery shelling and bombardment.
Early in early March, massive shelling began. Nikita's family could no longer be in their apartment. One day, their car, parked near the house, came under fire.
There was no mobile connection either. Nikita went to the neighbors on the 9th floor and caught a net at the windows. Once, when the guy once again tried to call about the evacuation, a shell flew to the 9th floor of the house opposite.
Then we realized that we can be next and we need to move on to a more reliable shelter. My dad worked for Azovstal and said that there is a good shelter there, the guy said.
The way to Azovstal and life in the basement
On the morning of March 5, the family left their house in the direction of the Azovstal steel plant. At first, the city was quiet, but halfway through the family came under massive artillery fire. Nikita, along with his family, had to hide in residential buildings. Subsequently, they reached Azovstal, but because of the danger, the civilian population was no longer allowed there. The plant was controlled by the Armed Forces of Ukraine and became the number one target for the Russian invaders.
People had to hide in the workshop of the local school on the territory of Azovstal. For 13 days they lived in a damp and cold basement. Food was cooked on a fire, and food was searched for in already closed shops.
Evacuation from Mariupol
On March 18, the military came to the shelter where Nikita's family was and said that it was possible to evacuate in the direction of the village of Melekino. The family left Mariupol in cars of other people from the shelter. In total, 8 people were driving in the car.
We were driving through a broken city and it is difficult to describe in words what we saw instead of the once beautiful Mariupol. On the way, we came under fire, and when we queued up to leave the city, we heard the sounds of air raids. Later it turned out that it was one of the strongest attacks on Azovstal and the port of Mariupol, Nikita recalled.
Mariupol reached Mangush and dispersed with their companions. Other caring people brought Nikita to the Berdyansk family. It was almost impossible to leave the territory controlled by Ukraine. the Russians were constantly shelling the humanitarian corridors and therefore the evacuation was irregular. So the family decided to go to the European Union, but for this it was necessary to overcome a more difficult path – through Russia.
Crimea, Moscow, St. Petersburg and Helsinki: the family went through interrogations and roadblocks
From Berdyansk, Nikita left for the occupied Simferopol. On the way, the family crossed 18 enemy checkpoints. The guy said that he experienced hellish humiliation, because the Russians just didn’t let them through only after interrogations and checks.
From Crimea, the family went by train to Moscow, and then to St. Petersburg and to the border with Finland.
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We crossed the Russian border very hard, because we were bullied. I was interrogated for 4 hours, and dad – 3. I was accused of being a foreign agent and working for some special services, and dad – that he allegedly fought, – the young man shared.
Russian border guards dismantled mobile phones and asked provocative questions. Fortunately, the family survived and got out of hell. Nikita said that the Finnish border guards greeted them very warmly and helped them to visit Helsinki.
That's how 22 years later Nikita became first an migrant, and then a refugee. Thanks to Russia, his family is forced to get back on its feet for the third time and start all over again.
