My name is Demetri. I am a Ukrainian-American citizen. I have close family in Ukraine still - my aunt, uncle, and cousin. For the last three years they have been displaced from their home town, which is now occupied by Russian forces. They had to leave their life and most of their possessions behind. Since the beginning of the war they have been living in their daughter’s apartment in Zaporizhzia (she and her husband are refugees in Estonia).

Zaporzhzia has been consistently bombed lately. It is close to the Russian border and to occupied territories.

A few days ago a rocket hit my family’s apartment - they were inside.

My aunt was mostly unharmed but my uncle sustained many serious cuts and trauma from the shrapnel and broken glass all over his body. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and eye injuries and was in surgery for 7 hours. The picture provided with this fundraiser is of my family, taken by a reporter on site.

My uncle is currently in the ICU and the long-term outcome of his injuries is not clear. He cannot see or hear very well and is extremely weak. My teenage cousin is mostly unscathed but has some hearing loss from the blast. Whatever possessions they were able to acquire in the last three years have been destroyed. The apartment building is no longer habitable. Their car, which they used to leave their home three years ago, has also been destroyed.

My aunt is extremely tired, stressed, and traumatized. She and my uncle are both in their 60s.

I am asking for whatever financial support you can offer, friends, acquaintances, and strangers.

Thank you for your kindness.