98-Year-Old Survivor of World War II Fleeing Eastern Ukraine: The Resilient Story of Lidia Stepanivna Lomikovska

98-year-old Lidia Stepanivna Lomikovska was forced to flee her village in eastern Ukraine when it was targeted by Russian forces. Despite her age, she managed to cover almost ten kilometers on foot, with only a walking stick and slippers to keep her going. The fighting had intensified in Ocheretyne, right on the front line of the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, prompting Lidia and her family to flee after two years of war.

Unfortunately, in the chaos of their departure, Lidia became separated from her son and two daughters-in-law. But the brave woman persevered and continued her journey with a walking stick in one hand and a piece of wood in the other. She walked for an entire day without food or water before Ukrainian soldiers noticed her walking along a road at night and turned her over to the White Angels, a police force that evacuates civilians on the front lines.

Lomikovska was then transferred to a shelter where she was reunited with her family members. The old woman, who had survived World War II, expressed that this current war in Ukraine was much worse than anything she had experienced before. She recounted falling twice along the way and having to sleep sporadically during her journey. Despite these challenges, she remained determined to keep walking towards safety.

In a small consolation for the old woman, Monobank, one of Ukraine’s largest banks, announced that they would purchase a house for her to spend the rest of her days comfortably.