Our Story

Larysa Nebotova came to the village of Petrovo from Avdiivka. Before the aggressors invaded Ukraine, she worked as a saleswoman. The war radically changed the life of a woman. She lost not only her home, but also her health. In April, when the mass evacuation began, she left for the Kirovohrad region. At first, she lived in a tourist centre, and then moved to a shelter in the Petrivska community. She talked about the help of the Metinvest Group and about life in new conditions.

In April, Metinvest announced the evacuation of employees of the Avdiivka Coke Plant and residents of the city. My brother and I also applied for it. We were informed that departure was planned for April 28. All the way, to Pokrovsk, we worried that there would be shelling.

 At first, we lived in the Verbychenka camp located in the Kirovohrad region. We appreciate the support of Metinvest, they created the most comfortable conditions for us – they gave us bedding, heaters, and household appliances. And when it got colder, we moved to the shelter, which was also equipped with the help of Metinvest in the Lyceum. They bought mattresses, pillows, blankets, bed linen for us. They also provided the necessary equipment. With such help, we feel comfortable. But we still want to go home.
At the lyceum we were welcomed by very kind people. They helped us to bring things and our pets. My brother and I brought three cats from Avdiivka. We are fed three times a day. The girls here cook very well. We got into a fairy tale. There is a shower cabin. From Metinvest and the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, as part of the Saving Life project, twice a month we receive food kits: canned goods, cereals, cookies and even candies. We also got personal hygiene products.

Avdiivka was heavily shelled in 2014 as well. But I didn’t leave. All that time I was in the city. I now regret it, because I got a serious illness (Parkinson’s disease) due to nervous breakdowns. Then everything happened again on February 24, 2022. It was very scary from powerful explosions. Thanks to the Metinvest company for taking care and taking us out of the city where the fighting is going on.