Ukrainian Teacher Who Became 'Face of the War' Issues Direct Challenge to Vladimir Putin
Olena Kurylo, the Ukrainian nursery school teacher whose bloodied and bandaged face became one of the most powerful symbols of Russia's invasion four years ago, has issued a direct challenge to Vladimir Putin. The 56-year-old, who suffered horrific facial injuries when a Russian missile struck her apartment building in Chuhuiv on February 24, 2022, dared the Russian dictator to meet her face-to-face.
'I Would Not Be Afraid'
'If I had the chance to meet Putin face to face and look him in the eyes, I would not be afraid,' Kurylo declared on the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion. 'But would he be brave enough for that? I would tell him everything I think.'
The Ukrainian teacher went further, stating that Putin 'is not a human being' and predicting that he 'will go down in history in such a way that generations will curse him.' Her defiant message continued: 'We can be killed, but we cannot be broken, and we cannot be forced to our knees. We are not slaves.'
Iconic Images That Shook the World
Kurylo's injuries occurred when shards of glass from shattered windows pierced her face during the missile explosion outside her home. The graphic photographs of her bloodied face, taken immediately after the attack, were broadcast globally and became emblematic of the war's devastating human cost during its earliest days.
Medics initially warned she risked losing her right eye without urgent surgery. After a gruelling three-and-a-half-hour operation in Poland restored approximately one-third of her vision, the results proved temporary. Polish doctors ultimately could only offer her 20 percent vision with the requirement for surgery every two to three months for life.
International Medical Intervention
Determined to secure better outcomes, The Mail on Sunday sought assistance from internationally renowned consultant eye surgeons Sheraz Daya and Tom Williamson at Centre for Sight clinics in London, Surrey, and Sussex. After studying Kurylo's medical notes, they believed they could preserve more of her sight at an estimated cost of £10,000.
Thanks to Mail Force donations – including £10,000 specifically secured for Kurylo's treatment – the necessary funds were raised within 24 hours. The Mail Force Ukraine Appeal, launched days after Russia's invasion, became the fastest newspaper fundraiser in history, kick-started by £500,000 from DMGT at the personal request of Lord and Lady Rothermere.
To facilitate Kurylo's travel to Britain, lawyers from Mishcon de Reya worked pro bono to secure a visa through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, while Refugees at Home found her a suitable sponsor and host family in North London.
Zelensky's Defiant Anniversary Message
Kurylo's challenge coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's fourth-anniversary declaration that Russia had not 'broken Ukrainians' nor achieved victory. 'Looking back at the beginning of the invasion and reflecting on today, we have every right to say: We have defended our independence, we have not lost our statehood,' Zelensky stated on social media.
More than a dozen senior international officials traveled to Kyiv to mark the grim anniversary of a conflict that has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions, and created instability far beyond Ukraine's borders. European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and leaders from Croatia, Finland, and Estonia joined Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska at ceremonies in Independence Square.
Putin's Silence and Ongoing Struggle
Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin made no mention of the invasion anniversary during a Tuesday meeting in Moscow with top Federal Security Service (FSB) officials, nor did he address the war's progress. This silence contrasted sharply with Ukraine's ongoing struggle against Russia's aerial attacks, which have devastated civilian infrastructure, denied power and running water to communities, and brought widespread hardship.
Kurylo, who received treatment in both Britain and Poland following the 2022 attack, urged European supporters to recognize Ukraine as a 'shield' between the continent and Russia, warning of potential further Russian aggression. Her personal journey from victim to symbol of resilience continues to inspire as the conflict enters its fifth year with no end in sight.
