Maryana and Max are from Ukraine, but it’s their sixth year living in Italy. When the war broke out, Max decided to go back. «The war will be over and then I’ll go back to Ukraine. My friends will ask where I was while they’ve been fighting. What am I going to tell them? That I was hiding in peaceful Italy?!»

That day the couple got some furniture delivered. As they were unpacking, they chatted with the neighbors. The neighbors couldn’t fully comprehend why Max wanted to go back to fight. But later that night they brought Max some money in an envelope, although up until then the neighbors had only ever said «hello».

Now Max is in the war zone and replies every now and again. Maryana is going to work, taking care of their son, and is actively helping Ukrainians by spreading information about the war. Many people are bringing medicine, foods, clothes, diapers, and baby food right to her doorstep. The volunteers then make sure that the aid reaches Ukraine. Maryana is also helping refugees to find a place to stay.

«After the war is over, we’ll go back, all three of us, to rebuild our country and Max and I will definitely have a daughter.»

Maryana and Max, Ivano-Frankivsk