Playtime near deadly explosives
Even though Russian soldiers have withdrawn from the village, it does not feel safe for Nastya and the other children in Lych, Ukraine. Mines and explosives hidden in the ground make playing outdoors life-threatening.
Nastya is a 12-year-old girl from the small town of Lych in Ukraine. After Russian soldiers withdrew from the village, large amounts of mines and unexploded ordnance were left behind. Her school has been destroyed, making it difficult to meet friends and play, with the constant fear of what might be hidden beneath the ground.
One of the things Nastya misses most from before the war is being able to play her favorite sport—basketball. In the ruined school building, under the supervision of adults, Nastya and her friends toss the ball to each other, shouting and laughing. It is painful to think that the girls might be playing just a few dozen meters away from deadly explosives.
Until the area is cleared, the local basketball court and other playgrounds remain too dangerous to step onto. This is the reality for many children in Ukrainian villages that were recently occupied by Russian soldiers. When school resumes, they face a daily routine of online learning and spending most of their time indoors.
"We loved our school. Our whole life was here. Now we do schoolwork online and can't move freely in the neighborhood."
Nastya’s mother, understandably, finds it difficult not being able to provide her children with the safety and stability they need while growing up. As things stand, adults must always keep a close watch when children play outside. A moment of curiosity or a single misstep can have fatal consequences.
Every Cleared Mine Matters
Unfortunately, we constantly hear about children who are killed or injured by mine explosions. Norwegian People's Aid is one of the few international organizations carrying out the extensive work of clearing mines and explosives in Ukraine. Our professional deminers work tirelessly to prevent innocent lives from being lost. Every cleared mine makes a difference.
"I live in constant fear for my children. There is so much unexploded artillery and mines in the village. That’s why I always keep an eye on them and never let them go anywhere alone."