“Last night my brother was very drunk and needed to be driven home. I live an hour away with our grandmother who is very old. When I picked my brother up from the night out he was extremely drunk.

On the drive to our grandmothers house in the village missiles started to fly over. I started to scream but my brother was unconscious and had no idea.

Behind us missiles were hitting in the forest and buildings. I got him home and ran inside. I had forgotten my brother was unconscious and dragged him to the door my grandmother was waken by the noise and hit my brother in the face with a rod.

‘Wake up useless boy the Russians are here!’

Helicopter and planes flew over the house shaking windows. We got him inside and my grandmother told us to stay calm and we were not a military target for missiles. She is 96 and the bravest woman I know. Russian planes passed our house later and my grandmother said again, ‘I have seen this once.’

My brother is awake now and didn’t believe the Russians attacked until he saw them. He said he will never drink again.”
– “Alina” Ukrainian Civilian. 22 years old. Invasion of Ukraine. February 24th, 2022

This story was documented by Nicholas Laidlaw.

Every soldier has a story, and every story deserves to be told.