February 24, 2022 was, for me, the same as for millions of others, a moment of anger but also a moment of strength. It resembled scenes from Hollywood blockbusters, but unfortunately, my seven-year-old son Alex and I witnessed it firsthand. Dozens of Russian helicopters flew just over 100 meters above our heads as they returned home after bombing a civilian airport in Gostomel. The ominous sounds of fighter jets engaged in air battles filled the air, tanks crossed civilian highways sporadically, and thousands of people were digging trenches around the perimeter of my hometown, Kyiv. With endless traffic jams spanning eight lanes, the situation felt like something out of the disaster movie "2012".
My son and I are witnesses to these events. We are among the fortunate ones who survived. Alongside five million Ukrainian women and children, we found safety by temporarily leaving our homeland while our heroic fighters fought the enemy.
However, tens of thousands of civilians who were killed or subjected to torture were not as fortunate, nor were the 500 innocent children who lost their lives, nor were the cities and villages left in ruins.
Nevertheless, we are a resilient nation, determined to defend our freedom and the values of the free world. The entire civilized world stands beside us. We will prevail.
Veronika Didusenko
Press conference
Videos
News
March 31, 2023 • The Fashionography
Advocating for Gender Equality. Veronika Didusenko's Story of Resilience, Courage, and Empowerment
https://thefashionography.com/fashion-editorials-originals/veronika-didusenko/
August 31, 2022 • Pretty Women Hustle Online
Former Miss Ukraine Veronika Didusenko Changes History and Launches Global Campaign #RightToBeAMother
https://prettywomenhustleonline.com/2022/08/31/former-miss-ukraine-veronika-didusenko-changes-history-and-launches-global-campaign-righttobeamother/
March 22, 2022 • Nau.ch
Ignazio Cassis von Ex-Miss scharf kritisiert
https://www.nau.ch/amp/people/welt/ignazio-cassis-von-ex-miss-scharf-kritisiert-66137626
March 13, 2022 • Nau.ch
Ukraine-Krieg: Nach Flucht sieht Ex-Miss Sohn in Schweiz wieder
https://www.nau.ch/amp/people/welt/ukraine-krieg-nach-flucht-sieht-ex-miss-sohn-in-schweiz-wieder-66127573
March 10, 2022 • Daily Soap Dish
Former Miss Ukraine Model Veronika Didusenko Urges Joe Biden To Come To The Aid Of The Ukrainian People
https://dailysoapdish.com/2022/03/former-miss-ukraine-model-veronika-didusenko-urges-joe-biden-to-come-to-the-aid-of-the-ukrainian-people/
March 10, 2022 • Hollywood Life
Former Miss Ukraine Shares Harrowing Details From Her Escape from Kyiv: ‘It Was Really Scary’
https://hollywoodlife.com/2022/03/10/miss-ukraine-winner-escape-russia-invasion-details/
March 10, 2022 • Nau.ch
Ukraine Krieg: Ex-Miss muss bei Flucht Sohn in Genf lassen
https://www.nau.ch/amp/people/welt/ukraine-krieg-ex-miss-muss-bei-flucht-sohn-in-der-schweiz-lassen-66127506
March 9, 2022 • AP News
Former Miss Ukraine describes escape from Kyiv, asks for aid
https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-entertainment-europe-gloria-allred-005537266737a2849b98ca3cb923b023
March 9, 2022 • Sky News
Ukraine war: Ex-Miss Ukraine describes how she fled Kyiv with seven-year-old son
https://news.sky.com/story/amp/ukraine-war-ex-miss-ukraine-describes-how-she-fled-kyiv-with-seven-year-old-son-12561405
March 9, 2022 • The Independent
Former Miss Ukraine recounts escape from Kyiv with 7-year-old son: ‘There was no place where bombs would not explode’
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/miss-ukraine-veronika-didusenko-escape-russia-invasion-b2032131.html
March 8, 2022 • Fox 11 Los Angeles
Fighting for our land and freedom': Miss Ukraine 2018 describes journey with son fleeing war with Russia
https://www.foxla.com/news/miss-ukraine-flees-amid-war-russia.amp
March 8, 2022 • Fox News
Former Miss Ukraine details journey through country amid Russia war, urges Biden to close Ukrainian airspace
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/miss-ukraine-veronika-didusenko-biden-russia-war.amp
March 8, 2022 • France 24
Ukrainian former beauty queen calls for help in Russia onslaught
https://amp.france24.com/en/live-news/20220308-ukrainian-former-beauty-queen-calls-for-help-in-russia-onslaught
March 8, 2022 • HuffPost
Former Miss Ukraine Describes Escaping From Kyiv With 7-Year-Old Son
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/miss-ukraine-veronika-didusenko-escape-with-son_n_6227e2f8e4b004a43c11253f/amp
March 8, 2022 • MyNewsLA.com
Ukrainian Model Describes Harrowing Journey Out of War-Torn Country
https://mynewsla.com/orange-county/2022/03/08/ukrainian-model-describes-harrowing-journey-out-of-war-torn-country/
March 8, 2022 • NBC Los Angeles
Miss Ukraine 2018 Veronika Didusenko Describes Journey With Son to Escape Invasion
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/miss-ukraine-2018-russia-invasion-putin/2843294/
March 8, 2022 • New York Post
Ex-Miss Ukraine escaped Kyiv with son after waking up to ‘sirens and explosions’
https://nypost.com/2022/03/08/ex-miss-ukraine-recounts-escape-from-war-with-7-year-old-son/amp/
March 8, 2022 • Patch
Miss Ukraine Describes Harrowing Escape To LA With Her Son
https://patch.com/california/los-angeles/amp/30502846/miss-ukraine-describes-harrowing-escape-to-la-with-her-son
March 8, 2022 • People.com
Former Miss Ukraine Details Her Escape with Son and Pleads for World to Help Moms and Kids
https://people.com/human-interest/miss-ukraine-2018-pleads-for-world-to-help-moms-kids/
March 8, 2022 • The Hollywood Reporter
Russian Attack Causing “Humanitarian Catastrophe,” Says Former Miss Ukraine
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politics-news/russian-attack-humanitarian-catastrophe-ukraine-veronika-didusenko-1235107036/amp/