'I just want him to be alive': Ukrainian mothers on Sherkin Island plead for end to Ukraine war
For Svitlana Babak February 15 was a day like any other… until a phone call alerted her to the tragic news: 'Your son has been killed by Russian forces.' Months on, she speaks through broken sobs as a translator tells her story.
Living in the former Sherkin Island hotel - 2,000 miles away from her native Kharkiv - Svitlana is now the most homesick she has ever been. Her dream of returning to a safe Ukraine and having her whole family reunited has been crushed now that Oleksandr, the son who stayed behind to fight, will not be there to greet her.
The closest thing to a reunion was at the military cemetery where Svitlana and other family members buried him some months ago. The sound of grief that day was punctuated by piercing air raid sirens - a painful reminder that nowhere in Ukraine is safe from Russian attack.
Svitlana learned about her 44-year-old son's death while in her bedroom on Sherkin. News of the tragedy cast a dark shadow over an already overcast island.
A recent 'We stand with Ukraine' event took place at the Sherkin House Ukrainian Centre and was organised by the facility's manager Alan McCormack and CEO of the Greater Chernobyl Cause charity Fiona Corcoran.
Ambassador to Ireland, Larysa Gerasko was also in attendance, and spoke about her hopes for an end to the unrest. The ceremony concluded with a tree planting ceremony commemorating the loved ones of Sherkin residents who have died in Ukraine.
Svitlana was among the 57 Ukrainian residents of Sherkin Island remembering friends and loved ones lost to the brutal war. Svitlana's daughter Alina and granddaughter Deana both live with her on the island.
'My son used to call me but he only had limited time to talk because he could never be sure who was listening,' she told the Irish Examiner. 'He usually just had time to say 'I'm alive' and that was it.
"When he died it was the hardest time, especially when it came time to bury my son. Our manager is very supportive and there was a collection to help with the funeral. People gave their condolences and I can feel their support. They helped with permission so I could leave the country to attend the funeral.
I want people to remember my son as happy. Oleksandr was known for his bravery. He saved the life of another soldier. There were crowds and crowds of people at his funeral. Every son loves their mother and every mother loves their son. We were no different.
Svitlana shifts our gaze to the smiling picture of her son which is on a table close to the entrance of Sherkin House Ukrainian Centre. 'This was his last picture,' she tells the Irish Examiner. 'You can tell he was very outgoing. He had a lot of friends. It's impossible to live without fun.'
She says while he fought bravely for his country, and his comrades, his legacy is little comfort. 'I just want him to be alive.'
Meanwhile, Natalia Fomina from Kyiv, who is also a resident at the facility, said she longs for the day she can be reunited with her husband. Yuri is currently living in a centre in Limerick after leaving his role as an officer in the military in Ukraine due to health issues.
Natalia is now appealing to officials so the couple can reside in the same accommodation centre.
'We lived together for 30 years. He has a problem with his health and I would feel much better to have him with me. He needs treatment. It's quite difficult. I want to be able to look after him. Our daughter Yullia chose to stay in Ukraine so it's just us in Ireland.'
Natalia Fomina from Kyiv at the 'We Stand With Ukraine' event in Sherkin House Ukrainian Centre to commemorate those who passed away in the war. Picture: Sorcha Sweeney
Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland, Larysa Gerasko, said Ukraine is still in dire need of support.
'We are still fighting and we still need support to end this war and end these killings of civilians,' she said. 'It's really very important to be vocal and to encourage your politicians to do more for Ukraine.'
Fiona Corcoran, who was joined at the event by Cork county mayor Cllr Joe Carroll, praised the residents of Sherkin Island for taking their Ukrainian neighbours to their hearts.
'Each day the needs grow greater,' she said of the Ukrainian people. 'Until we can see an end to the fighting, thousands of vulnerable families will continue to live in appalling conditions and fear what tomorrow may bring. Today we stand in solidarity with our Ukrainian brothers and sisters who had homes, security and normal lives until just over three years ago.'
To support We Stand With Ukraine and the Greater Chernobyl Cause click here.
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