Before the Russian war on Ukraine began, Kira Obedinskaya was joyful, beloved 12-year- old woman. Now orphaned, wounded and alone in Russian-controlled hospital in east of Ukraine, she became an unwitting pawn in Moscow information war.
Obedinsky mother died when she was baby. Her father Evgeny Obedinsky, former captain of Ukraine national water polo team was shot dead when Russian troops fought with their way to the southeast city of Mariupol on March 17.
A few days later Kira and her father friend tried to run away city on walk next to neighbors. But after she was hurt in land mine explosion, Kira was taken to the hospital in Donetsk region, which is controlled by Moscow-backed separatists.
Now Kira’s grandfather, Alexander, is afraid that he will never see her again. again. He said official from the break government in called from Donetsk and offered him to come there for her, which is impossible, because. of war.
He says he spoke to the hospital and was told that Kira would eventually be sent to an orphanage in Russia. They are took away her documents, he said, and he was told that Kira would be provided with new those in Russia.
Russian government said it helped move at least 60,000 Ukrainians people to safety across the Russian border. Ukrainian government said about 40,000 people were resettled against in their will it is described as kidnapping and forced deportation.
Russian media that has repeatedly downplayed the brutality of conflict in Ukraine showed a video of Kira happily talks about how sometimes they let her call her grandfather.
This is “proof” that she was not kidnapped. one Russian TV presenter who called the statement another “Ukrainian fake”.
Meanwhile, Alexander received an audio message from Kira asking him not to cry. But young girl who lost her family, her freedom and her home in Russia’s war, can’t stop her tears.
“I did not see you for bye” she says. “I want cry.”
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