Reliving their childhood horrors

Destroyed buildings in Izium, Ukraine, a city that was besieged and occupied both in World War II and in 2022. — Photos:©2024 The New York Times Company

WHEN she first heard that Ukraine was under attack by an invading army, Halyna Semibratska, now 101 years old, was confused.

“It’s not the Germans who have attacked us?” Semibratska asked. No, her daughter, Iryna Malyk, 72, replied. This time, it was their neighbour Russia.