This is the story of artist Daria Zymenko, who survived occupation and sexual violence perpetrated by Russian soldier in the Bucha district of the Kyiv region, Ukrainer in February-March 2022.
Daria together with her family hid in a basement for more than a month without electricity, heat and communication. After the occupiers found them, they repeatedly threatened to execute the whole family. Daria was kidnapped and taken to an unknown location with her eyes blindfolded. Over the course of several days, a Russian occupier repeatedly subjected her to sexual violence. After rehabilitation in 2023 Daria decided to tell her story publicly, give testimonies and cooperate with law enforcement authorities. She is also actively involved in advocating for the rights of conflict-related sexual violence survivors. She joined the organization of women who had the same experience, together they continue to fight for justice.
The project consists of documentary photographs by Oleksandra Zborovska and drawings and collages by Daria Zymenko. The photographs were taken in the places where Daria and her family lived under occupation, as well as in Daria’s home in Kyiv. During the occupation, while spending most of her time hiding in a basement, Daria kept a visual diary. Some of the sketches presented here originate from that period. Today, drawing and creating collages have become both an artistic and therapeutic practice for her. This documentary project serves as testimony to Russia’s war crimes. At the same time, it is a project of reflection – an attempt to process a traumatic experience, share it, survive it, and move forward.
Daria’s story is not only a story of immense pain, but also one of strength and courage to speak out. The project aims to give survivors a voice and make that voice visible and impossible to ignore. What the occupiers seek is silence, what they fear most is when survivors refuse to remain silent and start to speak out. Daria’s story is one of many. Some voices will never be heard because they were tortured to death. Some remain silent because of fear or stigma, these people are not yet ready to speak, but their stories may be heard in the future. Sexual violence under occupation are not isolated incidents but a weapon of Russia and part of a systematic pattern of violence against civilians. It knows neither age nor gender.
According to the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, as of 29 May 2026, 398 cases of conflict-related sexual violence have been documented in Ukraine, including 248 women and 150 men. However, the actual number of cases is believed to be significantly higher. Kidnappings, torture, and sexual violence in the occupied territories continue to this day.