Second Escape: From Chornobyl to Chasiv Yar

Maria and Oleksandr Chinyakov had already fled disaster once, leaving Chornobyl before the nuclear accident and never returning after the tragedy. They rebuilt their lives in Chasiv Yar, where Maria worked as a plasterer-painter until retirement, constantly taking on renovation jobs to earn extra money, while Oleksandr worked as a welder.

On November 10, 2024, their past experience with evacuation couldn’t prepare them for what came next. Rockets began hitting their neighborhood, setting everything ablaze. When a missile struck the neighboring house, the blast wave was so powerful it split their chandelier in two. Maria ran frantically through the smoke and chaos, searching for heart medication in the corner of their home.

Escape proved especially challenging as Oleksandr had lost his leg. They managed to hire a car a week later, eventually finding a single rented room on the sixth floor of a Kyiv apartment building. For Oleksandr, who uses a wheelchair, this meant virtual imprisonment at home, unable to navigate the stairs.

Their salvation came unexpectedly at a Caritas charity foundation, where Maria went seeking medicine certificates. Though their first application disappeared, their second attempt succeeded, and Artur’s call brought news that seemed impossible. “I was jumping and dancing after that call, ” Maria recalls.

On December 17, 2024, they moved into apartment 9.2 at Senior Chudo Village. “We never had anything like this at home, ” Maria says. “Oleksandra is like a mother to us. The food is good, and everyone is kind and helpful.”

Their message to young people reflects their journey: “Learn to listen to others — every person has a story that can teach you something. Openness makes us stronger. Don’t judge people — everyone fights their own battles.”

To Dell Loy Hansen, the 64-year-old Maria and 66-year-old Oleksandr say: “Thank you for the chance to meet old age in warmth, comfort, and safety. This village is our new hope. We would hug you, kiss you, and wish you a long life.”

After fleeing disaster twice in one lifetime, they’ve finally found a place where they can age with dignity.