The Athlete’s Last Stand
From sixth grade onward, Volodymyr Tsyhankov’s life revolved around sports. At 71, he still led fitness classes in Chasiv Yar, working with youth and enjoying fishing in the city’s numerous reservoirs. “It was a paradise for anglers, ” he recalls of his hometown. Alongside him, his 78-year-old wife Liudmyla Khanina, a former warehouse manager, found joy in their private home’s daily routines.
Their world exploded on October 8, 2022, when Russian forces advanced on Chasiv Yar. A shell hit their garage, setting their car ablaze. As Volodymyr rushed to extinguish the fire, a second explosion wounded him. Military personnel rushed him to the hospital, where surgeons removed shrapnel from his arms and legs. More shells struck their yard while he recovered.
On December 19, volunteers evacuated them to Dnipropetrovsk, leaving everything behind. The journey proved especially traumatic for Liudmyla, who was already struggling with health issues. They found themselves in a hospice with poor conditions, surrounded by strangers, spending their limited funds just to stay there.
The call from the foundation felt like “a divine touch.” “We cried endlessly, couldn’t believe it until the last moment, ” Volodymyr says. “That call convinced me God exists. Shivers ran through my body realizing it was real.”
On December 21, 2024, they moved into apartment 4.1 at Senior Chudo Village. Despite Liudmyla’s stroke, blood pressure issues, and difficulty walking, they’ve found peace in their new home. “Everything is thoughtfully designed, stylish, modern, incredibly cozy and ecological. Clean air, forest, walks — it’s a perfect place for old age, ” Volodymyr reflects.
His message to youth is simple: “Be human and don’t forget about it. Today’s youth forgets that tomorrow they won’t be the same.”
To Dell Loy Hansen, they say: “Hansen’s mission is a source of light in dark times. Thank you for supporting us in difficult moments. We’ll never forget your help. You gave us a second chance at a peaceful life.”
The former athlete still maintains his active spirit, ready to help others when not caring for his wife, finding new purpose in a community that understands the needs of elderly displaced persons.