FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The European Parliament was moved by the emotional outburst of 11-year-old Roman Oleksiv from Ukraine, who in 2022 lost his mother during a bombing, while he himself spent 100 days in intensive care and underwent over 35 surgeries to recover from his wounds.
His words in Strasbourg, during the presentation of a documentary about children in Ukraine, deeply touched the performer and many of those present.
Recalling the events of July 2022, Romani said: “I was with my mother in the hospital when a bomb fell.”
“That was the last time I saw her and said goodbye,” he continued, as the interpreter was unable to speak for a moment.
With the help of a colleague of the interpreter, the minor continued: "I saw her under the rubble, I saw her hair and I said goodbye. I spent over 100 days in intensive care, underwent 35 surgeries and I still have a long way to go to recover."
At the end, to applause from the audience, he added: "When we are together, we are stronger. Never give up and continue to support Ukraine and its children."
???? Interpreter breaks down in the European Parliament while translating for 11-year-old Ukrainian boy
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) December 11, 2025
The child, who was badly injured, recalled how he and his mother came under a Russian strike in Vinnytsia.
"It was the last time I saw my mother and could say goodbye to her,"... pic.twitter.com/HeB9DIUzrG
The story that became a movie
In July 2022, Roman and his mother, Halina, were waiting for their turn to visit a clinic in Vinica when a rocket hit the building.
The attack killed 26 people, including Halina. Roman managed to crawl out of the rubble, but with internal injuries and burns to 45% of his body, his condition was extremely critical.
Just a few days later, the then 8-year-old was transported abroad for specialized treatment through a medical evacuation program, developed by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine in cooperation with the WHO, the European Union, and several other countries.
The University Hospital of Dresden in Germany was involved in his care. Nurse Jonathan Winke described the challenges of the transport: the child was in critical condition, on a respirator and heavily sedated on the way. The sudden closure of the Poland-Ukraine border also extended the journey by two hours, making it even more complicated. However, thanks to careful planning, Romani was safely transported to the plane.
“When I woke up, I called out and a nurse came, but she only spoke German and I didn’t understand,” Romani recalls. “At first I didn’t know where I was and thought I was still in Ukraine. Then I saw the bandages and it all came back to me. I was so happy when my father came.”
Roman's story has also been turned into a short film titled "Romchyk", inspired by his dream of becoming a dancer.
Keta jane njelloj me ruset e kur Shqiptaret luftonin ne Kosove per nderin, kombin e familjen keta kollovaret Ukrainas me Ruset e Serbet bashke luftonin kunder nesh. Kjo nuk harrohet, por cfare t'i besh popullit moskokecares Shqiptar qe nuk i ve me shpatulla per muri keta bastarde. Kam prova te sakta qe keta luftonin ne Kosove kunder nesh. Kjo lufte i ka rrenjet me te thella sa mendojme ne. Bota sot po sundohet nga paraja e parane e kane Cifutet permes Bankave e Arabet prej naftes, pike.