Rebuilding the home she was forced to share with Russian soldiers: The year that never ended

The Ukrainian comedian Vasyl Baidak sparks an unlikely and enduring friendship with retiree Iryna Terekhova when he joins a group of young people from Kyiv to rebuild her home.

A devout Orthodox Christian, Terekhova lives in a farming village in the Chernihiv region, where her house was destroyed during the Russian occupation of March 2022. She reflects on a traumatic time when she was forced to share her cellar with Russian soldiers who said they had come to liberate her, but who devastated her village.

Refusing to leave the area where she has lived most of her life, Terekhova is galvanised by the entrepreneurial spirit of the young Kyiv builders, while Baidak proves that humour is the vital ingredient to bolster their collective spirit.

'I wait for the war to end, that's when our new year will begin. For now, 2022 still continues,' concludes Iryna

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[gingersoul]

This is very inspiring story! Together we are strong and can do a lot. Thank you guys, for helping Iryna!🙏🏻

[takingbacktheplanet]

wow... i'm sure this wasn't the artist's intention in participating in this filming, but this documentary made me cry a bit... from joy. for many reasons... but the part where when Iryna came into the house and apologized for ruining the shot was actually genuinely hilarious. :) well, in the context.

i love what he said, "I know very well that there are people out there who are dying for my peace. This compels me to work harder.". that's also how i feel, regarding this, from all the way in Canada... cheers!

[neanda]

"While they destroy, we create" has got to be one of the most powerful statements. It shows resilience and detemination to persevere against all odds.

[icerevolution]

I've done several comedy shows with this guy and during one of my trips to Ukraine, he invited me to his house for Borsch and Vodka. Vasil is one of the most wonderful human beings on this planet and I really hope he stays safe! ❤️

[aron_ren]

Thank you for the film. It's really important.

[olena_]

I’m proud that we have such a wonderful people! And thank you the Guardian for this documentary

[PamelasLas]

They’re the best, thanks for sharing the story!❤

[tam]

Thank you for creating such a good film.
Vasyl is very good person, he helped many people already and keep helping.

[katerentiy]

Дякую Вам, за те що ви робите, ви неймовірні🇺🇦❤️🥹

[fairytale]

4:38. A dramatic moment that shows the spirit of that woman

[НаталіяФедорчук-жт]

There are plenty of wonderful people in Ukraine and this documentary is a proof. We are trying to help each other, it's a kind of us therapy for us. The war is not over, so we are working hard for it to end as soon as possible.

[namaf]

Interesting video. There's a calm to this story despite the destruction of homes and lives everywhere. Hopefully people can rebuild in the future.

[ЕкатеринаЮськович]

Thanks this beautiful ppl for helping to Iryna. I wish her to find new life without bad dreams in this house !!

[Stuparod]

Seeing re-building starting with such brilliant volunteers gives me such joy! Well done Vasyl and everyone <3 - Iryna smiling offers such hope for a peaceful future. Slava Ukraine

[lovelyskull]

So much pointless destruction and yet the light of rebuilding. Thank you for sharing this.

[НаталіяФедорчук-жт]

I agree with Vasyl about destroying our memories. I had the same feelings when Vinnytsia was attacked on the 14th of July last year cause the place of the attack was the place where I used to walk with my husband and friends.

[Gorushkaa]

Дякую за поширення таких сильних історій з життя людей! Слава Україні!

[teddab]

Russia has become Raskolnikov of nations.

[rajeevchowdhry]

Poignant. But the hope that is embedded in each frame is cause for elation. May Iryna's resilience fructify with her house being replete of all creature comforts, an abundance of bloom this Spring, many more hens this Summer, an orchard laden with fruits, and a cacophony of silence soon for her 2022 to finally end.