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Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska is working to protect Ukraine's future by supporting children affected by the war, expanding mental health services and building homes for those orphaned by conflict. She is also focused on bringing back tens of thousands of Ukrainian children who Russia has abducted, forcibly transferred or deported.
There's often one story that dominates a foreign posting. For me, it's been the war in Ukraine, and as a result, there's one person I've studied and spoken about more than most — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
But in the background, he's had a powerful confidant and warrior fighting a very different battle — his wife, Olena Zelenska. As her husband has focused on the front lines and global diplomacy for more weapons and aid, Ms Zelenska has, in parallel, waged a war to save Ukraine's future generations. She's led efforts to turn teachers, pharmacists, police officers and social workers into frontline counsellors and started a foundation to build new homes for kids orphaned by the war.
Supplied: Anton KulakowskiyIt's a contemporary approach to an old-school conflict, looking to the long-term health of the community as well as its immediate survival. But as a mother of two children, the battle that's perhaps closest to Olena Zelenska's heart is fighting for the return of tens of thousands of Ukrainian kids Russia has abducted, forcibly transferred or deported since its invasion. This work is how we find ourselves meeting in Bucha, on the outskirts of the capital Kyiv.
The location of a brutal massacre of civilians by Russian soldiers in 2022, the city holds a painful significance for the people of Ukraine. Many here believe it was proof that Moscow's invasion was about annihilating Ukrainian culture, with little or no regard for international rules of engagement. These foster parents now care for 10 children orphaned by war, a household dynamic that's become common in Ukraine.
Olena Zelenska has made the return of thousands of Ukrainian children taken by Russia her personal focus. We arrive at the house early, for obvious reasons. The entire street is locked down with presidential security stationed at every corner, which we're not allowed to film, also for obvious reasons. Our bags and camera equipment are thoroughly searched.
The First Lady's team monitors for drones and missiles, and her time on the ground is strictly limited. Dressed in a commanding mission green suit, she walks in and immediately turns her attention to the children, who crowd around her, smiling.
"It's a great house," I reply before stupidly asking if she's met the family before. To which she replies: "Of course!
"Not on national television, or at major global events, but out in the community meeting regular, everyday people. A young girl looks up at the First Lady. The couple met at high school in the industrial city of Kryvyi Rih, in south-east Ukraine, and after studying their respective degrees, decided on pursuing a career in comedy.
But when Russia invaded her country four and a half years ago, she found herself front and centre of a tragedy she could never have imagined. It's often difficult to peel back the layers, the outer armour, so to speak, of a person in her position, but she instantly puts me at ease. Her face lights up as the children excitedly grab her hand to show off their rooms.
She crouches down to pat the dog and tells me how they have two at home. As I hand the children a bunch of London-themed books, including the famed Paddington Bear, Ms Zelenska casually leans across to tell me that her husband was the voice of the character in the Ukrainian version of the movies. It was a glimpse into her former life and a time much simpler than the one she and her president husband now live.
The First Lady insists we do the interview inside one of the children's bedrooms because she doesn't want to impose on the family any more than we must. In yet another glimpse of her humility, she starts by thanking me for reporting on the plight of Ukraine's stolen children, which she doesn't believe is covered enough in the Western media.
"This is a very painful topic for us. Russia systematically abducts Ukrainian children, and we are trying to bring them back," she tells Foreign Correspondent.
"You can't imagine this kidnapping of children can actually be such a system, the way Russia does it. "You don't believe that normal, conscious, adult people can deliberately design such policies and commit such illegal actions against children. Tens of thousands of children have been stolen, abducted, forcibly transferred or deported since the war began. A mixed look of frustration and dismay crosses the First Lady's face when I ask how the world can help.
"We must verify all the children who are currently there. Increasing sanctions, increasing attention to this topic in general.
"Because, to the Russians, it seems that no-one in the world knows about this. We need help so that we are not fighting this battle alone.
"In most parts of the world, the weather forecast dominates small talk, but here it's how long you spent in the bunker the night before. She asks if we were safe before telling of how the overnight attacks on her home town of Kryvyi Rih killed five children from the same family. While she visibly bears the burden of almost five years of war, Mrs Zelenska shows an energetic defiance when asked about Russian plans to eradicate Ukrainian culture.
"This is also one of the reasons why we still have the strength to endure this terrible war. Because we understand that one of the goals is to destroy our identity, to turn us into Russians, and we have no such desire.
" As we wrap up our interview and my cameraman snaps a few shots of us talking, Ms Zelenska switches from her native Ukrainian to English: "We need help, and we're really tired to ask. "I tell her how I am always struck by the stoicism of her people and in awe of their ability to get up every day despite living in a constant state of fear.
Instead of displaying that tough outer shield most Ukrainians do, she reflects on a time when Ukraine didn't make the headlines: a time without war.
"This is a very hard … for us. We know how to live without the war, how to have normality, and now it is all broken. And our children, they cannot feel safe. "
Olena Zelenska Ukraine Children Affected By War Deported Children Humanitarian Aid
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