DETROIT – Russia’s war on Ukraine continues to claim lives and devastate communities, with new drone and missile attacks on Friday knocking out power to parts of Kyiv. Ukrainian officials say a separate strike in the southeast killed a 7-year-old boy.
In a rare moment of hope, First Lady Melania Trump announced that ongoing communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin has led to the return of eight Ukrainian children who had been forcibly taken into Russia. The children’s reunification offers a small victory amid one of the war’s most painful humanitarian crises — the abduction of thousands of Ukrainian minors separated from their families and homes.
One man who knows both the brutality and resilience of Ukraine’s fight is Second Lt. Mikola Melnyk, a Ukrainian soldier who lost his leg in combat but continues to serve as an advocate with a prosthetic for other veterans. Speaking with WDIV, Melnyk reflected on his time on the front lines and the heavy price paid by Ukrainian troops.
“I think about my brothers-in-arms, my company, my battalion,” he said. “The Lord is our shepherd, and I was a soldier of the Lord protecting His flock against the Russian Nazi horde. That’s why, in my opinion, it was a very good time in my life.”
Despite his own loss, Melnyk remains focused on the children, families and soldiers still suffering from the war.
“It’s great news that eight children came back to Ukraine,” he said. “But we must remember Russia kidnapped nearly 10,000 or more. Every day, Russian forces kill Ukrainian children. Without American support, without American weapons, our children will be killed every day — and it’s terrible.”
He urged the world not to grow complacent as the war grinds on.
“How many civilians, how many children must be killed by these Russian maniacs?” asked Melnyk. “Today’s news is great — but what do we do tomorrow?”
As the war enters another winter, Melnick’s message is clear: Ukraine’s fight is far from over, and global support remains vital to protecting its future — especially its children.