Emotional Moment: Interpreter Breaks Down As Ukrainian Child Describes Surviving Russian Missile Attack

An interpreter became emotional while translating the harrowing testimony of a young survivor of a missile attack.

A poignant moment occurred at the European Parliament in Brussels when an interpreter became overwhelmed with emotion while translating the testimony of an 11-year-old Ukrainian boy who had survived a Russian missile strike on a children's hospital in Vinnytsia in 2022.

The devastating attack claimed 28 lives, including the mother of Roman Oleksiv, Halyna, who had brought him for a routine medical appointment. Roman subsequently spent over 100 days in intensive care and has undergone 36 surgical procedures to treat severe burns covering approximately half of his body.

As Roman shared the traumatic experience that forever altered his life, the interpreter translating his account into English found it increasingly difficult to maintain composure. When the young boy reached the heartbreaking moment describing his final sight of his mother - "It was the last time I saw my mom," the interpreter's voice faltered, and she began to weep.

11-year-old Roman Oleksiv, who survived the Russian missile attack on Vinnytsia, addressed the European Parliament during a documentary screening about Ukrainian children. He recounted losing his mother in the attack. The resilient boy has endured severe burns through 36 surgical procedures.

Another interpreter stepped in to complete the translation as the audience maintained a respectful silence.

Roman, who aspires to become a ballroom dancer and is the subject of an award-winning documentary, has been recognized throughout Ukraine for his extraordinary resilience. President Volodymyr Zelensky honored him with a state award earlier this year, highlighting the remarkable courage demonstrated by children facing the war's brutality.

Diplomats and lawmakers listened attentively as his firsthand account cut through diplomatic language, revealing the genuine human cost of Russia's full-scale invasion.

Ukraine's Prosecutor General has documented that at least 676 children have lost their lives since the invasion commenced in February 2022. Child welfare organizations estimate that nearly 2,000 children have lost parental care due to war-related fatalities or disappearances. Ukrainian officials further believe that more than 19,500 children have been forcibly abducted and deported by Russian forces since the conflict began.