From Bakhmut’s Depths to a New Dawn

Mykhailo Tolokov, a 68-year-old electromechanic from Bakhmut, spent his retirement tending to his garden and doing odd jobs around his house. After years working in the mines, which left his legs weakened, he sought simple pleasures in his hometown’s quiet routines.

As Bakhmut’s struggle played out on every news channel, Mykhailo watched his city’s defenses crumble. When his house was destroyed in December 2022, a military acquaintance helped him evacuate. “I only realized what had happened when we reached neutral territory, ” he recalls. “The stress and difficult journey kept me numb until then.”

In Brovary, he found temporary shelter, but the cost of rented housing strained his pension. Learning about the modular town offered a glimmer of hope. On November 18, 2024, Mykhailo moved into apartment 20.3A at Senior Chudo Village, finally finding the peace he sought in retirement.

“I was delighted to have my own space, ” he says. “The solid construction, the bright houses — I never expected such comfort.” Despite his mining-related mobility issues, he’s found contentment in this new community.

His simple wishes now are for “peace and tranquility, ” while his advice to young people reflects hard-earned wisdom: “Life is a priceless gift. Love it in all its manifestations, and it will love you back.”

To Dell Loy Hansen, the former miner speaks with pride: “This is an excellent project. Hansen’s mission gives people hope for a better future and faith that they can overcome difficulties.”

In Senior Chudo Village, Mykhailo has found not just shelter, but the dignified retirement he always deserved — a bright contrast to the dark mine shafts of his working years.