My name is Tetiana. I am from Ukraine, and my task here was to locate and document every
available piece of information concerning the events unfolding in Mariupol during the early days
of the war.
I was born in Kyiv, and live here now.
For a decade and a half, I worked as a TV journalist at a nationwide channel. My role involved
producing news stories, hosting live broadcasts, and developing special projects on a variety of
topics. I devoted nearly round-the-clock effort to my work during the Revolution of Dignity in
2014, covered the unfolding situation of Russia's occupation of Crimea and the ensuing war.
However, the focus of my stories always remained on the people involved.
I have a deep affection for our people; they are genuinely remarkable.
This project resonates with me on a personal level. I've visited Mariupol just three times in my
life, yet I've fallen completely in love with the city and its people. I have numerous friends from
there.
This project emphasizes the importance of not averting our gaze. We need to face the realities
of war head-on and with open eyes. The entire world must be aware of the truth, and we are
committed to revealing it by any means necessary. This is our reality, and we want people to
perceive it exactly as it is—to be seen and heard. It's important for us that the world is aware of
what happens to our cities, the horrors of their destruction, and the hellish conditions our people
have endured and continue to endure.
I gathered all the data for the project from open and verified sources, including official Telegram
channels, publications of Mariupol journalists, and public social media. These sources provided
thousands of accounts from witnesses who were in Mariupol at the time.
The work was incredibly heart-wrenching. Frequently (in fact, very frequently), I was brought to
tears by the horrors I uncovered. But I came to understand that I wanted people to know it all. I
felt a strong need to tell the world about it.
The moment I was invited to join the Hollow Home project, I recognized that I could and, more
importantly, wanted to be a part of it. Over the course of five months, I accumulated over 600
pages of documented evidence showcasing Russian crimes, survivors' diaries, and their
testimonies. These are horrifying accounts that no one could fathom unless they were
undeniably true. They are the stories of survivors, the maimed, the stolen, the tortured, and the
deceased. These are the stories of our people.
I meticulously documented each day of the city's devastation, capturing every detail including
traffic patterns, weather conditions, and the precise locations where Russian shells and bombs
struck.
What struck me the most in my work was the unimaginable cruelty with which Russia obliterated
Mariupol from the face of the Earth. Yet, amidst all the horrors, what truly amazed me were the
extraordinary acts of humanity displayed by the people— their love for one another, the support
they provided, and, despite the overwhelming hellish conditions, their unwavering faith in our
ultimate victory.
The crimes of the Russians must not go unpunished. The entire world must become aware of
these atrocities.
Best regards and stay safe!
Tetiana