He Survived the Invasion. What He Really Wanted Was a Friend.

War leaves scars—some visible, others etched deep into the soul. For 24-year-old Ukrainian refugee Artem Kovalenko, survival was just the beginning of his battle. Fleeing the Russian invasion in 2022, Artem found temporary shelter in a Polish refugee camp. But what haunted him wasn’t just the memories of bombed-out streets or the family he left behind—it was the crushing loneliness of displacement.

Escape, But No Sanctuary

Artem’s journey began in Kharkiv, where he worked as a software engineer before the war turned his life upside down. After a missile strike destroyed his apartment building, he fled with little more than a backpack.

“I thought the hardest part was over when I crossed the border,” he recalls. “But in the camp, I realized I had no one to talk to, no one who understood.”

The Polish government and NGOs provided food, medical care, and temporary housing, but emotional support was scarce. “People were kind, but everyone was grieving in their own way,” Artem says. “Some days, I just wanted to hear my own language, to laugh with someone who knew the same songs, the same jokes.”

The Loneliness Epidemic Among Refugees

Artem’s story isn’t unique. Psychologists warn that refugees often face a “second trauma”—isolation. A 2023 UNICEF report found that over 60% of Ukrainian refugees in Europe struggle with mental health issues, including depression and anxiety worsened by loneliness.

“Survival isn’t just about physical safety,” says Dr. Lena Petrov, a trauma specialist. “Human connection is as vital as shelter.”

For Artem, the breaking point came one freezing night in Warsaw. “I called my mother, but the line was bad. I walked to a park and just sat there, wondering if anyone would notice if I disappeared.”

A Stranger’s Kindness Changed Everything

Then, by chance, Artem met Marek, a retired Polish teacher who volunteered at the camp. Marek didn’t speak Ukrainian, but he brought a chessboard.

“He pointed at the pieces and said, ‘Play?’” Artem smiles. “We didn’t need words. For the first time in months, I felt like a person again.”

Their weekly chess games became a lifeline. Marek introduced Artem to a local Ukrainian community center, where he began teaching coding to kids. Slowly, the fog of loneliness lifted.

“Marek didn’t just give me friendship,” Artem says. “He gave me purpose.”

The Power of Small Gestures

Artem’s story underscores a critical, often overlooked need in refugee crises: the healing power of human connection. Organizations like Refugees Welcome and HostNation now prioritize pairing refugees with local “buddies,” but experts say more systemic solutions are needed.

“Integration isn’t just paperwork,” says sociologist Dr. Anika Mehta. “It’s about creating spaces where refugees can belong.”

Today, Artem works remotely for a tech startup and shares an apartment with two other Ukrainians. He still video calls Marek every Sunday.

“War took so much from me,” he reflects. “But it also taught me that friendship is the strongest survival tool of all.”

How You Can Help

As conflicts rage worldwide, Artem’s message is clear:

“Don’t just donate money. Donate your time. A cup of coffee, a game of chess—it can save a life.”

Ways to make a difference:
✔ Volunteer at refugee centers (language classes, mentorship)
✔ Offer companionship through programs like HostNation
✔ Support mental health initiatives for displaced people

Because sometimes, survival isn’t just about making it out alive—it’s about finding a reason to live.

— By [Your Name], NextMinuteNews