Tragic Losses in Zaporizhzhia: A Family Wiped Out by War

In a devastating attack on November 7, 2022, three generations of the Buhayov family—Sophiia, her 17-month-old son Adam, and her mother Tetiana—were killed in Zaporizhzhia. Yuliia Tarasevych, the sole survivor of the immediate family, struggles with her grief while calling for the world to remember the names and stories of the innocent lives lost amidst the violence.

In a bleak and windswept cemetery in Zaporizhzhia, teddy bears—both large and small—gather around the grave of 17-month-old Adam Buhayov, who lies there alongside his mother, Sophiia Buhayova, 27, and great-grandmother, Tetiana Tarasevych, 68. All three were tragically killed during a Russian bombing attack on November 7, 2022. Their deaths underscore the toll of a war that continues to ravage Ukraine yet often slips from the international spotlight.

Yuliia Tarasevych, Sophiia's mother, reflects on her loss, saying, “I don’t know how to live. It’s hell on earth. I lost my mother, my daughter, and my grandson in one second.” As she visits their graves, Yuliia takes solace in the small moments they shared. Just one hour before the bombardment, Tetiana recorded a video of Adam during a walk, capturing a simple interaction that now carries immense weight—her gentle reminder for him to keep his hat on.

The horror of that day is starkly etched into the minds of those left behind. With the echoes of distant explosions still haunting her, Yuliia remembers how she urged her daughter to be cautious as bombs had been falling earlier. “Thank you, mum, don’t worry. Everything will be fine with us,” Sophiia reassured her. However, this would be their last conversation, as a guided bomb hit their block, claiming the lives of Sophiia, Adam, Tetiana, and six other civilians.

Sophiia’s father, Serhiy Lushchay, recalls arriving to find nothing but ruins where their lives once flourished. Among the few items salvaged from the debris—a china cup, Adam's beloved toy, and his little red jacket—these remnants have become priceless treasures, holding memories of happier times.

As the conflict continues decimating communities, the cemetery surrounding them grows, filled with blue and yellow flags marking the graves of fallen soldiers. Yuliia and Serhiy visit often, supporting each other through the ongoing grief and the stark reality of their situation. “We will continue to visit the graveyard as long as we live; it gives us some ease,” she explains.

Despite the pain of loss, both Yuliia and Serhiy are steadfast in their belief that Ukraine must continue to resist. Amidst geopolitical shifts, they express concern over potential peace talks, emphasizing that any dialogue must not dismiss the profound suffering and devastation caused by Russian aggression. “There can be no talk of any ceasefire or peace talks,” Yuliia states firmly.

The international narrative surrounding the war is complicated, yet the family insists on the urgency of remembering not only Ukraine's soldiers but also the innocent civilians lost in the crossfire. Yuliia's simple plea serves as a haunting reminder: “I would like them to remember that there's a war happening nearby, where not only soldiers but also civilians are dying.”