Anastasiia is an 18-year-old girl from Kherson. After the occupation of Kherson, fearing shelling, Anastasiia left for the left bank of Kherson region.

During the journey, she was stopped at a Russian checkpoint. While checking her phone, Russian soldiers found photos of Russian checkpoints and accused Anastasiia of passing information to the Ukrainian military.

Later, Anastasiia ended up in a Russian foster family, where, according to her, she was abused and beaten. She was told that her mother did not need her and that a Russian family would be found for her.

In the occupied territory, Anastasiia was involved in Russian propaganda events, including ceremonies with the Russian flag and anthem, events marking 9 May, and the distribution of St. George’s ribbons.

The pressure on Anastasiia intensified because of her pro-Ukrainian position. She was threatened with being taken to a “basement” because she continued to assert her Ukrainian identity and listen to Ukrainian music.

Later, Anastasiia managed to contact her mother and asked her to take her home. Today, Anastasiia is building an independent life in Ukraine. One of the main feelings she describes after returning is the ability to no longer fear persecution for speaking Ukrainian, expressing her views, or maintaining her position, and to feel that she is finally home.