Olivia Colman gets emotional in chat with Ukrainian teen on anniversary of war

23 February 2024 , 13:10

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Olivia Colman gets emotional in chat with Ukrainian teen on anniversary of war

This is the touching moment Oscar-winning Olivia Colman meets a Ukrainian teen whose life has been blighted by conflict.

The Favourite actor, 50, held an emotional online meeting with 15-year-old Solomiya from Kharkiv, Ukraine, to hear the harrowing fall-out of Vladimir Putin's blood-thirsty invasion. Solomiya told the British star how she was awoken by an explosion on 24 February 2022 before fleeing as war erupted.

And Unicef UK president Olivia told the schoolgirl: "You’ve experienced more than I have ever experienced in many ways...you give off a positivity, a strength... I can learn a lot from you. I think you’re extraordinary...” Solomiya told how she quickly packed her bag, prioritising her English books so she could continue her language studies.

But she has spent two years away from her friends. taking lessons online in bomb shelters. Solomiya said: “We woke up and we packed in about 20 minutes, and we just went to another city. "I was actually scared, everyone was scared. I think that [the war] would last for two weeks or months, but not even two years. I took all my books, this was so important to me. I do not go to school now, I have online learning because it’s much safer. We have underground schools for younger [ones] and they make lots of events there for older ones and I went there for speaking club.”

Solomiia spoke to Olivia Colman ahead of the anniversary (Solomiia)

And Solomiya told Olivia: “My biggest hope is for the war to be ended, fully. No one deserves to suffer from that, especially children. I saw all the buildings that were destroyed, but I would like to be an architect in the future. I love drawing.” Latest data released today - as the second anniversary of the conflict approaches - reveal children in Ukraine’s frontline areas have been forced to spend between 3,000 and 5,000 hours sheltering in basements as air raid alerts sound above.

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Unicef says this is the equivalent of four to seven months spent underground. Children in Ukraine are experiencing prolonged isolation and disruption of schooling and routine, leaving them with a sense of loss, fear and anxiety and impacting their ability to learn and participate in everyday life.

The psychological impacts of the conflict among children are widespread. According to survey data, half of 13 to 15-year-olds have trouble sleeping, and one in five have intrusive thoughts and flashbacks – typical manifestations of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Olivia said: “Meeting Solomiya was a privilege. She’s 15 and she’s already gone through more than most adults go through in a lifetime, and she’s come out of it so incredibly strong, and incredibly positive, and she still has hopes and dreams for the future and for a positive outcome for Ukraine.

Oscar-winning Olivia Colman held an emotional online meeting with 15-year-old Solomiya

"It was a very humbling experience to talk to someone so extraordinary. From our conversation, it’s clear that two years on, the situation for children in Ukraine continues to be one of fear and loss. Their schools are still under attack, meaning huge disruption to their education and their mental well-being. But Unicef is there and has been from day one providing life-saving support, working hard to give children their education back and providing safe spaces to learn, grow and dream – just like amazing Solomiya. The children in Ukraine need peace, now.”

Unicef UK chief executive Jon Sparkes said: “We're so grateful to Olivia for meeting Solomiya and helping UNICEF raise awareness of the conflict that continues to turn children's lives upside down, and to Solomiya for sharing her inspiring story.

“This war has been devastating for Ukraine’s children. Despite their resilience, for many children inside and outside of Ukraine, the war has wiped out two years of schooling and time spent with friends and loved ones, robbing them of their chance to learn and develop, as well as to play and to feel happy."

Donate to UNICEF UK’s Ukraine appeal to help children like Solomiya

Dan Warburton