11-year-old Roman shares resilience story in Brussels

Roman Oleksiv was just seven when he and his mother went for a medical checkup at Vinnytsya, far from the frontlines of the war, on July 14, 2022. A Russian warship in the Black Sea fired three cruise missiles into the city, killing his mother, Halyna, and leaving him with burns across his body.

He suffered 45% internal and 35% external burns, broken arms, severed muscles and several shrapnel wounds. His mum died instantly.

‘I saw her under the debris, and I could see her hair,’ Roman recalled. ‘I was able to touch her hair, and I could say goodbye to her.’

After being severely injured in the missile strike, Roman was transported to Lviv, Ukraine, then to Poland and Germany for further treatment

The story of his tragedy and recovery prompted a film about his life, which was shown to Pope Francis before his death.

After his years-long ordeal, the young boy is back dancing and attending music school – taking after his mum, who was an accordionist and teacher.

Roman finished, saying: ‘I want to tell you that when we’re together, we’re strong and you have to never, ever give up.

‘We have to continue helping Ukrainian children.’

Thousands of Ukrainian children have been killed and kidnapped since the beginning of Russia’s illegal war.

At least 20,000 children were ripped away from their everyday lives and taken to foreign countries where they have been tortured, denied food and any contact with their loved ones.

11-year-old Roman shares resilience story in Brussels